US First Lady Melania Trump has warned that artificial intelligence and robotics are no longer futuristic concepts but technologies already shaping daily life, stressing the need for careful guidance to prevent harmful consequences. Speaking at a White House event to launch the Presidential AI Challenge, she told an audience of tech leaders, educators, and policymakers that “cars now steer themselves, robots hold steady hands in the operating room, and drones are defining the future of war,” adding, “The robots are here. Our future is no longer science fiction.”
The initiative aims to expand AI literacy across US classrooms, with major corporations pledging support. IBM committed to training two million workers in AI, while Code.org announced plans to reach 25 million students with AI-focused curricula. Microsoft and Amazon also introduced new programs to integrate AI education into K-12 schools. According to the White House, the challenge is designed to prepare the next generation for a workforce increasingly influenced by automation and machine learning.
While praising AI as “the greatest engine of progress in the history of the United States,” Trump cautioned that the technology must be treated like children who need empowerment with “watchful guidance.” Her remarks highlighted growing concerns about risks such as job displacement, national security challenges, and the mental health of young people.
The event, however, drew criticism from watchdog groups who argued it placed corporate interests at the forefront while avoiding harder conversations around regulation, accountability, and the protection of children online. Critics expressed concern that the promises made by large tech firms overshadowed the need to address potential dangers directly.
Trump’s framing of AI as both a breakthrough and a threat reflects the administration’s broader stance on emerging technologies. Her declaration, “The robots are here,” captures both excitement about rapid innovation and the pressing responsibility for the nation to adapt wisely and responsibly.
