Melania Trump Launches National AI Contest for K-12 Students/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ First Lady Melania Trump announced the Presidential AI Challenge, a nationwide contest inviting K-12 students to use artificial intelligence to solve community problems. The initiative, backed by President Donald Trump’s executive order, aims to encourage teamwork and innovation among America’s youth. Winning teams will present their projects at the White House in 2026.
Melania Trump AI Challenge Quick Looks
- First Lady Melania Trump launches the Presidential AI Challenge for K-12 students
- Contest encourages teamwork and use of AI to solve community challenges
- Registration opens August 26; submissions due by December 2025
- Regional competitions in spring 2026, with national finals at the White House
- Projects must use AI methods/tools with mentorship from teachers or adults
- Michael Kratsios, White House tech director, says possibilities are “endless”
- Contest stems from President Trump’s executive order on AI education
- Melania highlights both promise and risks of artificial intelligence
- First Lady previously released an AI-narrated audiobook of her memoir
- She also advocated for the Take It Down Act, targeting AI-generated exploitation
Deep Look: Melania Trump Launches Nationwide AI Challenge for Students
WASHINGTON — August 26, 2025 – First Lady Melania Trump is inviting America’s youth to take part in a bold new initiative designed to prepare the next generation for the artificial intelligence era.
On Tuesday, Melania Trump unveiled the Presidential AI Challenge, a nationwide contest for K-12 students that asks participants to use AI tools to tackle real-world problems in their communities.
“As someone who created an AI-powered audiobook and championed online safety through the Take It Down Act, I’ve seen firsthand the promise of this powerful technology,” the first lady said in a video message. “Now, I pass the torch of innovation to you.”
She added that America, which once “led the world into the skies,” is poised to lead again — this time in the field of artificial intelligence.
Contest Details
- Eligibility: Open to all students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
- Format: Students must form teams and complete projects using AI to solve community challenges.
- Mentorship: Each team must be sponsored by a teacher or adult mentor.
- Timeline:
- Registration opened Tuesday on the official website.
- Submissions are due by December 2025.
- Regional competitions will take place in spring 2026.
- National winners will present their projects at a White House event.
Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, emphasized the goal of preparing young Americans for a world where AI will play an increasingly central role.
“We want to have America’s youth plugged in and working on and using AI tools,” Kratsios said in an interview with Fox News’ Fox & Friends. He called the possibilities “endless,” highlighting that AI could be applied to issues ranging from healthcare and climate to education and urban planning.
Background: Executive Order and AI Policy
The contest follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump earlier this year, which directed federal agencies to expand AI education and workforce preparation. The administration argues that promoting AI literacy is essential for national competitiveness in technology.
Melania Trump has been actively involved in shaping the public conversation about AI. In May, she announced that the audiobook version of her memoir, Melania, was created entirely using artificial intelligence to simulate her voice.
While highlighting AI’s creative potential, she has also sounded alarms about its darker uses. Earlier this year, she urged Congress to pass the Take It Down Act, legislation targeting online exploitation and harmful deepfakes. The law, signed by President Trump in May, imposes penalties for AI-generated or real imagery used in sexually exploitative ways.
Balancing Innovation and Responsibility
By promoting the AI Challenge, the first lady is aiming to strike a balance between AI’s opportunities and risks. She framed the contest as a way to channel students’ creativity into constructive projects while also preparing them to navigate ethical concerns tied to emerging technologies.
Educators and parents are being encouraged to support student participation, with officials emphasizing teamwork as a cornerstone of the initiative.
“It’s not just about technology,” said one White House aide. “It’s about collaboration, problem-solving, and innovation at a community level.”
Looking Ahead
If successful, the Presidential AI Challenge could become an annual event, mirroring other national academic competitions like science fairs and robotics contests. Organizers hope it will spark a wave of interest in STEM careers and help position the U.S. as a leader in AI-driven innovation.
For Melania Trump, the contest is also part of her evolving public platform as first lady. Once focused primarily on children’s online safety, she is now emerging as an advocate for AI education, linking it to both American competitiveness and youth empowerment.
“Unleash your imagination,” she told students in her announcement, “and showcase the spirit of American innovation.”
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