First lady Melania Trump invites students to join nationwide AI challenge contest
First lady Melania Trump on Tuesday announced the launch of the Presidential AI Challenge, a nationwide contest inviting students from kindergarten through 12th grade to develop projects that use artificial intelligence to address community challenges.
The first lady framed the effort as a call to innovation for America's youth. In the challenge, students are instructed to create projects that show how AI could be applied to solve a local challenge -- from improving school resources to addressing environmental concerns.
"Just as America once led the world into the skies, we are poised to lead again, this time in the age of AI," she said in a video post on X
Drawing on her own experience producing an AI-narrated audiobook of her 2024 memoir, "Melania," the first lady said she had "seen firsthand the promise of this powerful technology."
"The Presidential AI Challenge will be the first step in preparing our next generation with a base understanding of this important new technology," she said in a news release.
The contest comes after President Donald Trump's April executive order directing federal agencies to advance AI education for American youth.
The president touted the new challenge in his Cabinet meeting Tuesday, praising the first lady for her work.
"It's going to be a very good challenge, I can tell you put her heart into it, which will inspire the next generation to stay on the cutting edge of this vital technology," President Trump said.
Registration opened Tuesday on the official website. Each team must have an adult mentor or teacher, and entries are due by Jan. 20, 2026.
Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology, said the aim is to ensure students collaborate on real-world solutions.
"We want to have America's youth plugged in and working on and using AI tools," he told Fox News Channel's Fox and Friends on Tuesday.
State champions will be named in early 2026, with winners advancing to five regional competitions. Finalists will be invited to Washington for a three-day showcase at the White House in June 2026, according to the White House.
National champions in the competition will receive $10,000, either for their school or per team member, along with other prizes.
