Melania Trump has announced a national competition encouraging schoolchildren in the United States to use artificial intelligence tools to solve problems in their communities. The Presidential AI Challenge is open to students from kindergarten through 12th grade, who must work in teams sponsored by an adult mentor or teacher.
In a video unveiling the initiative, the first lady said she had seen the promise of AI through her own AI-narrated audiobook and her work on online safety legislation. “Just as America once led the world into the skies, we are poised to lead again – this time, in the age of AI,” she stated.
Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, described the possibilities for projects as “endless” and emphasised the collaborative aspect. “We want to have America’s youth plugged in and working on and using AI tools,” he told Fox News on Tuesday.
Registration opens on the contest website on Tuesday, with submissions due by the end of December. Regional competitions will follow in the spring, culminating in a White House event for national winners. The challenge stems from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump to advance AI education for young Americans.
