Melania Trump, humanoid robot at White House to tout AI teachers for education
A humanoid robot has accompanied the US first lady as she arrived at the White House for the final day of a summit on education and technology.
A humanoid robot has walked down a red-carpeted White House hallway, accompanying US first lady Melania Trump into an event where she urged greater use of artificial intelligence in education.
The human-shaped robot, which introduced itself as “Figure 03,” joined Mrs Trump in the East Room to welcome dozens of first spouses from around the world to the technology-focused Fostering the Future Together summit.
“I am grateful to be part of this historic movement to empower children with technology and education,” the robot said, greeting guests in 11 languages.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Mrs Trump said Figure 03 was the first US-made humanoid guest at the White House, and used its appearance to promote the need for governments and major technology companies to work together to use AI for student instruction.
“Very soon artificial intelligence will move from our mobile phones to humanoids that deliver utility,” she said.
The First Lady, a former model, described how in the near future a hypothetical humanoid teacher could quickly access classical studies, mathematics and other subjects to deliver personalised education to students based on their learning speed and “emotional state”.
US Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who is carrying out President Donald Trump’s agenda of downsizing the federal education department, smiled from the front row as the first lady talked about shaking up education.
“We can accelerate civilisation’s march forward when enterprise delivers innovation, government creates scale and our capital markets finance the distribution of these emerging technologies,” Mrs Trump said.
The president’s wife also warned of technological dangers, a concern echoed by France’s first lady Brigitte Macron, who touted her country’s moves to restrict screen time and social media for children.
Earlier on Wednesday, President Trump appointed Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Oracle Executive Chairman Larry Ellison and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to a council that will weigh in on AI policy and other issues.
