Melania Trump issues first-of-its-kind challenge to American students as they return to school

First Lady Melania Trump is issuing a first-of-its-kind challenge to American students as they return to school.

In a video posted on Tuesday, the first lady detailed the “Presidential AI challenge,” which allows students to utilize artificial intelligence to “unleash their imagination and showcase the spirit of American innovation.”

Watch:

“Are you ready for an AI challenge? Take part in this nationwide initiative to discover, develop and expand AI’s potential. 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 says. “Now, I pass the torch of innovation to you.”

“Just as America once led the world into the skies, we are poised to lead again, this time in the age of AI. The president’s National Artificial Intelligence Challenge invites every student in America, from kindergarten to 12th grade, to unleash their imagination and showcase the spirit of American innovation,” she continues. “Our educators will guide and empower you through this process, to build a brighter, stronger future for us all. Visit AI.gov to register today. Good luck.”

The website gives further details on the challenge and allows students to register and address “community challenges” that they can propose solutions for using AI.

“The Presidential AI Challenge is a national challenge where K-12 youth, educators, mentors, and community teams come together to solve real-world problems in their communities using AI-powered solutions with an opportunity to showcase their solutions at a national level,” it explains. “Students and educators of all backgrounds and expertise are encouraged to participate and ignite a new spirit of innovation as we celebrate 250 years of independence and look forward to the next 250 years.”

More from the website:

Student teams can propose and create AI technologies that can be used to develop innovative ways to address the items below that are of particular interest to the White House (more items can be found in the Sample Projects):

• Making communities or schools safer;
• Designing healthier or more economical meal plans;
• Promoting healthy peer engagement and a safer digital future;
• Creating a “skills report card” for students to go alongside their academic transcript; and
• Helping educators develop customized learning plans for students.

Many versions of AI, including “generative AI, large language models, machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, robotics, computer vision, expert systems, decision trees, and neural networks,” can be used to complete the challenge