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The visit came as policymakers and technology leaders continue to debate how artificial intelligence should be governed and used, including in schools.
First lady Melania Trump visited Mountain View Elementary School in rural Ashe County, North Carolina. The visit aimed to showcase the integration of artificial intelligence, robotics, and engineering in the classroom, coinciding with broader discussions among policymakers and technology leaders regarding the responsible governance and application of AI, particularly in educational settings.
Melania Trump commenced her visit by acknowledging the community's impressive recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, a natural disaster that had previously caused schools to close for over a month. She highlighted how Mountain View Elementary itself had served as a vital distribution hub during the recovery phase, praising North Carolina's spirit of resilience.
Mrs. Trump announced significant educational initiatives through her 'Be Best' program, collaborating with Nvidia. This partnership will provide 1,500 Ashe County students with subscriptions to StudyFetch, an advanced AI-based learning platform. Additionally, Mountain View Elementary and other schools in the district are set to receive 100 Jetson Nano Developer Kits, which are compact computers engineered for AI applications, fostering innovation among students.
Technology in education represents a core policy interest for the First Lady, complementing her existing work on supporting foster youth and advocating for legislation like the Take It Down Act. Melania Trump has consistently emphasized the importance of 'watchful guidance' in the development and expansion of artificial intelligence within school environments, stressing careful consideration of its ethical and practical implications.
This visit marks Melania Trump's fourth trip to North Carolina since 2025, underscoring a consistent engagement with the state. Its timing is notably significant, preceding by one day a scheduled rally by former President Donald Trump in Gastonia. The rally is in support of Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley, who is campaigning against former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper in the upcoming November midterm elections, adding a clear political dimension to her presence.