First Lady Melania Trump took center stage at the White House on Thursday, delivering a clear message to tech executives: artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept, and its rapid growth needs careful management.
Speaking to the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education, she stressed that leaders and parents alike have a responsibility to guide AI’s development thoughtfully.
“It’s our duty to treat AI like our own children—empowering it, but always with watchful guidance,” she said, emphasizing the need for responsible oversight during this critical stage of technological advancement.
A Juxtaposition With Presidential Social Media Activity
Her cautionary remarks came just hours after President Trump posted what appeared to be AI-generated content targeting political rivals.
One video depicted Senator Adam Schiff with a “pencil neck,” a nickname previously used by the president, while another showed California Governor Gavin Newsom sporting a “Trump 2028” hat.
The contrast between the First Lady’s serious message on responsible AI and the president’s playful—or provocative—use of the technology highlighted the different ways AI is being employed in public life.
A Star-Studded Audience in the East Room
The East Room was packed with top tech figures, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who has publicly sparred with Elon Musk, former head of the Department of Government Efficiency.
Cabinet members, including Education Secretary Linda McMahon, joined the First Lady, who shared a light-hearted moment crediting her 19-year-old son Barron for sparking her interest in technology.
Melania’s Focus on Children and Technology
Melania Trump’s tech advocacy is rooted in her longstanding mission to protect children from emerging threats.
Her “Be Best” initiative, launched in 2018 from the White House Rose Garden, initially targeted cyberbullying.
“When children learn positive online behaviors early, social media can be a force for good,” she explained at the program’s debut, highlighting the importance of teaching kids digital responsibility.
While the initiative was initially met with some skepticism—given the president’s notorious Twitter habits—Melania continued to expand its scope.
In March, she added a focus on revenge porn, including content created with AI, lobbying Congress for the Take It Down Act to criminalize non-consensual intimate content.
She made a rare appearance on Capitol Hill the day before her husband’s joint address to Congress to advocate for the legislation.
AI, Social Media, and the Next Generation
During her East Room remarks, Melania warned that social media and AI could act as “digital candy” for young people: enticing, addictive, and potentially harmful.
“Unlike sugar, these technologies can be weaponized, shape beliefs, influence emotions, and even be deadly,” she said.
Her concern is grounded in a broader push to educate children on safe and responsible tech use, an effort she has continued through initiatives like the Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge, encouraging K-12 students to use AI to solve community problems.
Embracing New Technologies Personally
Melania has not shied away from technology herself.
Her memoir, Melania, used AI to produce its audiobook.
She has also launched several digital projects, including NFTs and her own meme coin, $MELANIA, joining other members of the Trump family in cryptocurrency investments.
Looking Ahead
As AI continues to shape the way society communicates and interacts, Melania Trump’s message is clear: while the technology offers incredible opportunities, it also comes with a responsibility to protect and guide the next generation.
The question remains: how will leaders, parents, and the broader tech community rise to the challenge?