The first lady today invited some of the U.S.’s foremost tech leaders to the East Wing of the White House to inaugurate a task force on artificial intelligence with an emphasis on integrating AI into the education of children.
“I predict AI will represent the single largest growth category in our nation during the Trump administration, and I won’t be surprised if AI becomes known as the greatest engine of progress in the history of the United States of America,” said the first lady (pictured). “But, as leaders and parents, we must manage AI’s growth responsibly. During this primitive stage, it is our duty to treat AI as we would our own children, empowering, but with watchful guidance.”
The task force was created under an April executive order from former President Donald Trump, aimed at boosting AI literacy and skills among U.S. students. Its mandate is to coordinate federal initiatives around AI education, everything from integrating AI into school curricula to training teachers and preparing the next generation for an AI-driven workforce.
In attendance were Google LLC Chief Executive Sundar Pichai and IBM Corp. CEO Arvind Krishna. Open AI CEO Sam Altman was close by, sitting in the front row. Also present were Education Secretary Linda McMahon, Michael Kratsios, director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and David Sacks, a venture capitalist now serving as the White House’s tech czar.
“Cars now steer themselves through our cities, robots hold steady hands in the operating room, and drones are defining the future of war,” the first lady said. “The robots are here. Our future is no longer science fiction.” This is not the first time she has gotten involved with futuristic technology, recently openly backing the “Take It Down Act,” legislation to combat deepfake videos and images that circulate online.
Pichai said Google was creating technology for children that could help them “learn anything in the world,” stating that his company was already working on making AI more accessible in schools. IBM’s Krishna said his company had pledged to teach AI skills to at least 2 million workers in the U.S. Meanwhile, McMahon said the Education Department was encouraging “the integration of AI in teaching, learning, and school operations,” adding that American children should be ready for “the AI-driven world.”
Following the event was a meeting in the White House Rose Garden, where the Trumps were hosting a dinner for some of the who’s who in consumer digital technology. On the invite list were Meta Platforms Inc. CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook, Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates, and Altman.
It seems Trump and Musk might have gotten over their spat. Musk wrote on X that he had been invited but “unfortunately could not attend.”
Photo: Flickr
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