AI n. artificial intelligence ยท still the word in UK, EU and most of the world's law
Still called AI, not SI
Washington now says "super intelligence". London, Brussels and Tokyo still say AI. Here's what the US rename means if you're not in the US federal government.
Outside the US executive branch, it's still AI. The order doesn't apply to other countries, and we haven't seen any other national government formally switch. Japan's prime minister has said it's AI for now, and UK and EU law still use the term.
The short version
On 29 September 2026 the US President ordered federal agencies to say Super Intelligence (SI) instead of artificial intelligence. That's a rule for one branch of one government. It doesn't change any other country's laws or language.
Where things stand
| Where | Term in use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| US federal executive branch | SI | Required by the order, where the law allows |
| US federal law | Mixed | Statutes still say AI; a proposed SI definition is due around 28 November 2026 |
| California | AI | Reported as not following the order |
| United Kingdom | AI | No announced change. Government bodies such as the AI Security Institute keep the name |
| European Union | AI | The EU AI Act is law and uses the term throughout |
| Japan | AI | The prime minister said it is AI at this stage |
The country tracker has the detail and sources, and we update it as governments respond.
Why this still matters to you
Even if your country keeps saying AI, US terminology spreads. If you sell to US government buyers, read US policy documents, or work with US partners, you'll meet SI in tenders, contracts and guidance. Our guides cover what it means for UK businesses and how to handle SI in US bids.
Two meanings of one word
Superintelligence also has its own debate in the UK, where it means hypothetical systems smarter than people, not today's AI. A backbench bill proposed banning its development. The government has said it won't back a ban. More on the UK debate.
Sources
- Xenospectrum: what the SI order actually defines
- MLex: Trump signs Super Intelligence executive order
- The National: California will not follow the order
- Kumanichi (Kyodo): Japan's prime minister on the AI name
- eWeek: UK renames the AI Safety Institute the AI Security Institute
- MLex: UK government won't back a superintelligence ban