A Tech Terminology Poll Launched by Trump
In a notable move, former U.S. President Donald Trump recently initiated a poll on his social media platform. The subject wasn't policy or personnel, but a foundational question in technology: What should we call "Artificial Intelligence"?
Is "AI" Inelegant?
Launching the vote, Trump shared his perspective. He suggested that the ubiquitous term "Artificial Intelligence" is "not accurate or elegant enough." As alternatives, he proposed several more grandiose-sounding options:
- Superior Intelligence (SI)
- Extreme Intelligence (EI)
- Supreme Intelligence (SI)
He framed these as more elegant and accurate descriptors for what he called a growing "revolution." He encouraged broad participation to select the best name for the field.
Public Engagement and Immediate Reaction
The poll quickly captured public attention. Platform screenshots showed it garnered over ten thousand votes within a short period, with the voting window still active. This immediate engagement underscores the public's keen interest in tech-related discourse.
On the surface, this appears as a lighthearted poll about word choice. At a deeper level, it touches on significant questions: Who has the authority to name era-defining technologies? How does the terminology we choose influence public perception, expectations, and even apprehensions about them?
The Power Narrative Behind a Name
The shift from "Artificial" to "Superior" is more than semantic. The former emphasizes the "man-made" aspect, possibly implying instrumentality and controllability. The latter directly connotes capability that is "above" and "superior," carrying more dramatic and ultimate implications.
This attempt to rename is not an isolated incident. Historically, the naming of transformative technologies has often involved defining and steering their perceived societal role. A term's adoption does more than simplify communication; it can set the boundaries of discussion and subtly shape consensus. Trump's foray into tech vocabulary can be seen as an attempt to pull technological discourse into the wider arena of public debate and political narrative.
Regardless of the poll's outcome, the discussion itself highlights that the conversation about AI has long transcended pure technocracy, entering the intersection of culture, politics, and philosophy.