WASHINGTON, D.C. june 9, 2026 — First Lady Melania Trump welcomed young innovators to the White House on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, to celebrate the national champions of the inaugural Presidential AI Challenge. In her remarks, she praised the students, telling them, “You are our future” and calling them “the best of America.”
The event, held in the East Room, recognized student teams from elementary through high school for developing AI-powered solutions to real-world community problems. Projects included a homework helper app, a chatbot for bullying prevention, tools to detect urban blight, AI for criminal investigations, and navigation aids for the visually impaired.
“You represent the best in America,” Trump said. “Technology supports every business sector today. You saw AI’s potential and created ideas that will shape America’s future in many areas, including healthcare, nutrition, public safety, and beyond.” She encouraged the winners to “safeguard America’s leading position in the world of technology.”
The Presidential AI Challenge, launched by the First Lady in August 2025 under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, aimed to build AI literacy and innovation among K-12 students. It engaged more than 20,000 participants from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools overseas, resulting in over 2,500 project submissions.
White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios highlighted the diversity of entries, noting projects that addressed online safety, local government efficiency, crime-fighting, and environmental hazards. Educator winners were also recognized, including programs focused on machine learning through entomology and AI applications in biology.
Winners received Presidential Certificates of Achievement, cloud credits, and cash prizes up to $10,000. The initiative is part of a broader White House Task Force on AI Education effort to prepare the next generation for an AI-driven economy.
The First Lady has tied the challenge to her BE BEST initiative, emphasizing responsible technology use and child protection online, including support for the TAKE IT DOWN Act targeting non-consensual deepfakes.
This inaugural competition marks a significant step in fostering American leadership in AI, positioning students as key contributors to the nation’s technological future.
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