First Lady Melania Trump announced the Presidential AI Challenge on Monday, inviting K-12 students and educators nationwide to develop innovative AI-based solutions to address community problems and explore the potential of AI in education.
“The Presidential AI Challenge will be the first step in preparing our next generation with a base understanding of this important new technology,” Melania Trump said in a video on AI.gov.
Reflecting on her own experience using AI to create an audiobook, she emphasized the technology’s transformative power and risks, stating, “In just a few short years, artificial intelligence will be the engine driving every business sector across our economy. It is important America leads the rest of the world.”
The initiative, launched under Executive Order 14277, signed by President Donald J. Trump on April 23, 2025, aims to foster interest and expertise in AI among America’s youth, ensuring the nation’s leadership in the global technological revolution. The challenge encourages students and educators to create AI-driven projects addressing local issues, with opportunities to showcase their work nationally.
Eligible participants include elementary students (grades K-5) in groups led by educators or community leaders, middle school students (grades 6-8) and high school students (grades 9-12) in teams of one to four with a supervising adult, and K-12 educators, including homeschool teachers, in teams of one to three.
Participants can choose from three project tracks: Track I involves proposing an AI-based solution to a community challenge, Track II focuses on building a functional AI solution, and Track III, for educators, centers on innovative AI teaching methods or tools to enhance classroom learning.
All compliant submissions, due by January 20, 2026, will receive a Presidential Certificate of Participation.
Teams can opt into a competition with state, regional, and national levels, offering prizes such as cloud credits, web-based resources, and $10,000 awards for schools or team members. Selected regional champions may be invited to a three-day event in Washington, D.C., in June 2026, including a White House showcase.
Projects must include a 500-word narrative detailing the team’s work, along with a presentation poster, video, or digital demonstration, depending on the track. Resources, including sample projects and scoring guides, are available at AI.gov/initiatives/presidential-challenge. Teams can access virtual office hours for guidance and submit questions to [email protected].
The challenge, coinciding with America’s 250th anniversary, aims to spark innovation and prepare students for an AI-driven future while promoting the responsible use of this technology.