Melania Trump has urged schoolchildren in North Carolina to embrace artificial intelligence and develop robots, presenting the technology as a key part of America’s future during a rare public appearance.
The first lady visited a school to promote education technology and community resilience, announcing that students would receive kits to help them develop AI projects.
“Dream big and use these AI tools to build something never created before,” she told the children. “Maybe one of you will create the next great robot. And if you do, make sure you bring it to the White House to show me!”
Asked about concerns surrounding artificial intelligence, Mrs Trump said it was “very important” for the United States to lead in the field, while warning that pupils “need to be vigilant as well”.
“But this is our future, and we need to guide them and teach them what is available,” she said. “If not, they will stay behind, and we need to be the first in [the] United States to lead.”
Melania Trump highlights North Carolina resilience
Her visit also drew attention to the recovery from Hurricane Helene, which caused an estimated 60 billion dollars (£44.5 billion) in damage in North Carolina and was linked to 107 storm-related deaths.
Mrs Trump praised the school for supporting its community during the disaster, saying it had provided “food, water supplies, and hope”.
She described the area as having endured a “1,000-year flood” and said the knowledge offered by the school was something “no hurricane can destroy”.
“North Carolina has shown resilience… you are the spirit of America,” she told those gathered.
The appearance comes as concerns grow over the expansion of artificial intelligence, including calls for tighter regulation and opposition to new data centres. A recent poll cited in the source material found that 69 per cent of Americans opposed AI data centres being built in their neighbourhoods.
President Donald Trump has rejected attempts to slow the roll-out of the technology, describing one such effort as a “sick conspiracy” that would help China compete with the United States. His administration has argued that China would benefit if America delayed its AI deployment.
Mrs Trump’s visit was not presented as a campaign event, and she has generally avoided official Republican midterm rallies. However, it comes a day before the president is due to appear in Gastonia with Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley.
Whatley is challenging former Democratic governor Roy Cooper for the seat being vacated by Republican Senator Thom Tillis. Polling cited in the source material put Mr Cooper ahead, with 50 per cent support compared with 45 per cent for Mr Whatley.
Republicans have welcomed the first lady’s presence in a state won by Mr Trump in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 presidential elections. Mrs Trump and the president previously travelled to western North Carolina shortly after his inauguration to show support for communities affected by the hurricane.
