The federal government now calls AI Super Intelligence. Here is what that means for your business.

On September 29, 2026, Executive Order 14434 told federal agencies to say “Super Intelligence” and “SI” where they used to say “Artificial Intelligence” and “AI”. The order defines the new term as the existing legal definition of AI, so the technology it covers has not changed. The vocabulary has, and it sits on top of two years of federal AI policy that does affect some businesses.

This guide covers what the published documents say, which parts apply to a private company with 50 to 2,000 people, and which parts do not. It is based only on the official documents listed at the end.

Two meanings of the same word

In federal documents dated after September 29, 2026, Super Intelligence means what everyone else calls AI. Section 3 of the order ties it to the statutory definition in 15 U.S.C. 9401(3). The order also asks the President's science adviser to propose legislative language for a federal definition within 60 days, so this may change.

In the AI industry, superintelligence usually means something else: systems that outperform people at most thinking work. Some AI companies describe it as their goal. Safe Superintelligence Inc. says building it is its one goal, and Meta writes that developing superintelligence is now in sight.

Both meanings point the same way for a business. AI is getting more capable, and the companies that benefit first are the ones whose data, approvals and system access are ready for it. Our readiness check scores where you stand in about three minutes.

The documents, and whether they apply to you

Date	Document	What it does	Applies to a private company?
Jan 23, 2025	EO 14179, Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence	Revoked the 2023 AI executive order and called for a national AI Action Plan within 180 days.	Indirectly. It set the direction for everything below.
Apr 3, 2025	OMB M-25-21 and M-25-22	Rules for how federal agencies use and buy AI, including safeguards for high-impact AI and contract terms on data rights and vendor lock-in.	Only if you sell AI to federal agencies.
July 2025	America's AI Action Plan	Three pillars: innovation, infrastructure, and international diplomacy and security. Recommends revising the NIST AI Risk Management Framework and Treasury guidance on tax-free employer reimbursement for AI training.	Mostly recommendations to agencies. Watch the training-reimbursement item.
July 23, 2025	EO 14319, Preventing Woke AI in the Federal Government	Federal agencies may buy only large language models that meet its "Unbiased AI Principles", written into contracts.	Only if you supply language models to federal agencies.
Dec 11, 2025	EO 14365, Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence	Created a Justice Department AI Litigation Task Force to challenge state AI laws, asked Commerce to identify burdensome state laws, and asked for a federal preemption proposal.	Yes, as uncertainty. State AI laws still apply until a court or Congress changes them.
June 2, 2026	EO 14409, Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security	A voluntary framework for frontier model developers to give the government early access to new models. States that it creates no mandatory licensing.	No, unless you develop frontier models.
Sept 29, 2026	EO 14434, Inaugurating The Era Of Super Intelligence	Federal agencies now say "Super Intelligence" and "SI" instead of "Artificial Intelligence" and "AI". The legal meaning is the existing statutory definition of AI.	No obligation, but it is changing the vocabulary your customers and staff hear.

What to do about it

Keep following state law

An executive order cannot itself override state law. If you use AI in hiring, lending, insurance or other decisions about people, the state rules where you operate still apply.

Use the NIST framework as your reference

The NIST AI Risk Management Framework is voluntary and being revised, but it remains the common reference customers and auditors recognize. Map your AI inventory and approvals to it.

Check your federal exposure

If you sell to federal agencies, read M-25-22 and EO 14319 closely. Data rights, portability and model terms are moving into contracts.

Get the vocabulary straight

When a board member or customer says Super Intelligence, find out which meaning they intend. The federal one is today's AI under a new name.

Questions we get

What is the Super Intelligence executive order?

Executive Order 14434, signed September 29, 2026, directs federal agencies to use "Super Intelligence" and "SI" in place of "Artificial Intelligence" and "AI" in official communications. It defines Super Intelligence as the technologies covered by the existing statutory definition of artificial intelligence.

Does my company have to call AI "Super Intelligence" now?

No. The order applies to the executive branch. Private companies are under no obligation to change their terminology.

Does federal policy override state AI laws?

Not on its own. EO 14365 directs agencies to challenge state laws and asks for a federal preemption proposal, but an executive order cannot itself preempt state law. State AI rules still apply unless a court or Congress changes them.

Is there a federal law that sets AI obligations for private companies?

We found no federal statute that sets general AI obligations for private companies as of October 16, 2026. Sector regulators and state laws still apply, and the NIST framework is voluntary.

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Sources

This guide explains published federal documents as of October 16, 2026. It is not legal advice.