From AI to SI: What the September 2026 U.S. Executive Order Actually Changes

On September 29, 2026, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Inaugurating the Era of Super Intelligence.” The order directs U.S. executive departments and agencies, to the maximum extent permitted by law, to use “Super Intelligence” and “SI” in place of “Artificial Intelligence” and “AI” in official correspondence, public communications, websites, reports, policy documents and other non-statutory executive-branch materials. That is a significant terminology change inside the federal executive branch, but it is important to describe the scope precisely.

The order does not by itself rename the technology for the entire world, for private companies, for universities or for every U.S. law. It explicitly says previously issued regulations, presidential actions, contracts, grants and historical documents do not need to be rewritten. For implementation, the order temporarily maps “Super Intelligence” and “SI” to the existing statutory definition of artificial intelligence in 15 U.S.C. 9401(3), unless later law or presidential action supersedes that approach.

The order also instructs the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology to submit proposed legislative language within 60 days for a federal definition of SI. That proposal is expected to assess whether the existing statutory AI definition should be modified, expanded or superseded and whether conforming amendments are needed elsewhere in federal law.

For brands, agencies and technology companies, the practical takeaway is not to assume that every use of “AI” has suddenly become incorrect. In U.S. executive-branch communications, the new policy favors SI. In the wider market, AI, frontier AI, AGI and superintelligence still carry different established meanings and may continue to be used by companies, researchers and international institutions.

For 126 LABS, the useful communication principle is simple: follow the source and the context. When discussing the 2026 U.S. policy, use the White House terminology accurately. When discussing products, research or client work, use the term that best matches the actual capability being described rather than using “SI” as a blanket marketing upgrade.