Melania Trump brings humanoid robot to White House summit promoting AI teachers for children
30 Sources
[1]
Melania Trump wants a robot to homeschool your child | TechCrunch
At a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, First Lady Melania Trump showed up with a humanoid robot developed by robotics firm Figure AI. The duo waltzed down a red carpet together before the bot gave a brief speech, chirping: "I am grateful to be part of this historic movement to
[2]
Melania Trump Arrives at White House Summit With Humanoid Guest
First Lady Melania Trump (right) was joined by an AI-powered humanoid robot as she arrived for a roundtable at the White House's Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition Summit on Wednesday, March 25th. As other first spouses, including Brigitte Macron of France, looked on, the first lady and
[3]
A Humanoid Robot Visits the White House to Push AI for Teaching Kids
An unexpected guest escorted Melania Trump at the Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition Summit on Wednesday: a walking, talking Figure 03 humanoid robot. During the event, the first lady pitched a future where AI-powered humanoid robots -- presented as an idealized educator named "Plato"
[4]
Melania Trump Escorted by Talking Humanoid Robot at White House Tech Summit
An unexpected guest escorted Melania Trump at the Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition Summit on Wednesday: a Figure 03 humanoid robot. During the event, the first lady pitched a future where AI-powered humanoid robots -- presented as an idealized educator named "Plato" -- provide
[5]
Robot joins Melania Trump at White House event to tout AI teachers
This video file cannot be played.(Error Code: 102630) WASHINGTON, March 25 (Reuters) - A humanoid robot walked down a red-carpeted White House hallway on Wednesday, accompanying U.S. first lady Melania Trump into an event where she urged greater use of artificial intelligence in education. The
[6]
Meet Figure AI: The company behind the humanoid robot hosted by Melania Trump
The White House hosted its "first humanoid robot guest" on Wednesday, with first lady Melania Trump appearing alongside a robot from robotics upstart Figure AI. The robot, identified as Figure 3, accompanied the first lady during the second day of the Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition
[7]
Melania Trump shares the spotlight with a robot at an education and technology event
WASHINGTON (AP) -- First lady Melania Trump often commands the attention of any room she enters but all eyes -- and cameras -- were trained on her humanoid companion on Wednesday. The humanoid accompanied the first lady as she arrived at the White House East Room for the final day of a summit she
[8]
Melania Trump Appears With a Robot, Saying More Children Should Be Educated by Them
Katie Rogers covers the White House and is the author of a book on modern first ladies, including Melania Trump. As first lady, Melania Trump promotes opportunities for foster children, argues for the eradication of online bullying and often travels to military bases in support of soldiers and
[9]
First Lady Melania Trump arrives with humanoid robot at tech summit
First Lady Melania Trump is hosting the Fostering the Future Together summit in Washington, DC aimed at 'expanding access to educational tools' and protecting kids in digital environments, according to the White House. Trump, France's First Lady Brigitte Macron, and leaders from more than 40 other
[10]
Was This Really the First Humanoid Robot at the White House? An Investigation
On Wednesday, the CEO of Figure AI, Brett Adcock, posted on X that one of his company's F.03 concept robots had made history as "the first humanoid robot in the White House." As the ceremonial kickoff for a two-day summit as part of First Lady Melania Trump's "Fostering the Future Together"
[11]
Humanoid robot joins Melania Trump at White House tech summit
It later moved back down the hallway as Trump remarked it was the first "American-made humanoid guest in the White House." The appearance underscored the broader theme of the summit, which centers on the role of emerging technologies in shaping education and child development. The two-day
[12]
Melania Trump shares the spotlight with a robot at an education and technology event
WASHINGTON -- Melania Trump often commands the attention of any room she enters but all eyes -- and cameras -- were trained on her humanoid companion on Wednesday. The robot accompanied the first lady to the White House East Room for the final day of a summit she had convened with counterparts
[13]
'The robots are here' -- Melania Trump walks alongside creepy humanoid at White House summit like it's the most normal thing in the world
* The White House hosted its first humanoid robot * Figure 03 awkwardly walked and talked * First Lady Melanie Trump then touted a robot teacher When US First Lady Melania Trump said last year, "The robots are here," we had no idea she was being literal. On Wednesday, we witnessed the spectacle
[14]
Robot escorts Melania Trump to White House tech function
The First Lady is joined by "Figure 3," a new humanoid robot, during White House conference. Credit: Oliver Contreras / contributor / AFP via Getty Image You wouldn't think that being able to stride through the White House's East Wing without stumbling would make headlines. But as Melania Trump
[15]
Surreal Footage Shows Melania Trump Walking Into White House Summit With Humanoid Robot
Can't-miss innovations from the bleeding edge of science and tech President Donald Trump's State-of-the-Union speech last month was notably light on education policy. While actively dismantling the US Department of Education and implementing shameful anti-trans policies at schools, the Trump
[16]
Enter Melania Trump, escorted by humanoid robot: 'I'm Figure 03, a humanoid built for the United States of America' | Fortune
Melania Trump often commands the attention of any room she enters but all eyes -- and cameras -- were trained on her humanoid companion on Wednesday. The robot accompanied the first lady to the White House East Room for the final day of a summit she had convened with counterparts from around the
[17]
Melania Trump brings humanoid robot to White House education summit
The First Lady unexpectedly kicked off a White House summit on global education and technology by arriving with Figure 3, a humanoid robot. There are many ways to begin an international policy summit. A humanoid robot delivering the welcome speech is not usually one of them. But that's exactly
[18]
Melania Trump walks side-by-side with humanoid robot at White House summit
First Lady Melania Trump walked side-by-side with a sleek, black and white faceless figure Wednesday at her education summit at the White House. Despite its appearance, it wasn't an otherworldly creature. It was a humanoid AI robot, known as Figure 03. In videos from the summit, the robot can be
[19]
Melania Trump pitches robots as potential educators for American schoolchildren
Washington -- For the first time in history, a robot, not a person, escorted the first lady of the United States Wednesday at the White House. Escorted by a walking, talking humanoid system, first lady Melania Trump pitched the Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition Summit on AI robots as
[20]
First Robot: Melania Trump brings droid to White House event
Washington (United States) (AFP) - US First Lady Melania Trump brought a surprise guest to a White House event on Wednesday -- a walking, talking, humanoid robot. Instead of husband President Donald Trump at her side, it was the "Figure 3" android that accompanied Melania down the famous red
[21]
First lady Melania Trump struts at White House summit with robot
Melania Trump debuts new documentary at the Trump-Kennedy Center as celebrities gather and the president hints their legacies are intertwined. Melania Trump was joined by a humanoid robot during a White House event on Wednesday instead of her typical arm candy, President Donald Trump. The first
[22]
Robot Joins Melania Trump at White House Event to Tout AI Teachers
WASHINGTON, March 25 (Reuters) - A humanoid robot walked down a red-carpeted White House hallway on Wednesday, accompanying U.S. 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
[23]
First Lady Melania Trump brings a humanoid robot to the White House: Here's what she said on AI education
It wasn't a typical White House event. As global leaders and tech executives gathered, an unexpected guest quietly walked into the room alongside First Lady Melania Trump -- a humanoid robot named Figure 03. The moment signaled something bigger than symbolism. It hinted at how quickly technology is
[24]
Melania Strolls In With Humanoid Robot -- And Somehow It Gets Weirder From There
At a White House event, the first lady imagined a "humanoid educator" named Plato that would teach kids about the classical world and more. At a bizarre White House event on Wednesday, first lady Melania Trump walked side by side with an artificial-intelligence-powered robot before spelling out a
[25]
First Humanoid Robot Appears At White House With Melania Trump -- And No, It Wasn't Elon Musk's Optimus - Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA)
Figure 3.0 Goes To Washington Figure, an AI robotics company founded in 2022 by Brett Adcock, has attracted some top investors in the company as it works to bring the Figure autonomous humanoid robot to the masses. On Wednesday, Figure walked side-by-side with the first lady at the Fostering the
[26]
Melania Trump Touts AI-Powered Robots Teaching Classics To Kids At Bizarre White House Event
Melania Trump Touts AI-Powered Robots Teaching Classics To Kids At Bizarre White House Event At a bizarre White House event on Wednesday, first lady Melania Trump spelled out a vision of the future where children are given a classical education by Artificial Intelligence-powered robots. Trump was
[27]
Melania Trump shares the spotlight with a robot at an education and technology event
WASHINGTON -- Melania Trump often commands the attention of any room she enters but all eyes -- and cameras -- were trained on her humanoid companion on Wednesday. The robot accompanied the first lady to the White House East Room for the final day of a summit she had convened with counterparts
[28]
Robot joins Melania Trump at White House event to tout AI teachers
WASHINGTON, March 25 (Reuters) - A humanoid robot walked down a red-carpeted White House hallway on Wednesday, accompanying U.S. 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
[29]
Humanoid robot walks out with Melania Trump at White House summit
STORY: :: A humanoid robot walks out with Melania Trump at a White House summit :: March 25, 2026 U.S. FIRST LADY MELANIA TRUMP: "Good morning, welcome to the White House. Figure 03, thank you for joining me at day two of 'Fostering the Future Together.'" The robot introduced itself to the
[30]
Meet Figure 03: The humanoid robot seen walking with Melania Trump and why it is going viral
The demo showed robots could soon assist in classrooms and daily life. Melania Trump, the First Lady of the United States, drew attention at a recent White House event when she arrived alongside a human-like robot called Figure 03. The event focused on how technology is transforming daily life. As
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First Lady Melania Trump arrived at a White House technology summit accompanied by Figure 03, an AI-powered humanoid robot that delivered opening remarks. The event promoted a vision where humanoid robots serve as personalized educators in children's homes, sparking debate about the future role of human teachers in education.
Humanoid Robot Makes White House Debut at Education Summit
Melania Trump walked down a red-carpeted White House hallway on Wednesday with an unusual companion: Figure 03, an AI-powered humanoid robot
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. The spectacle unfolded at the Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition Summit, a two-day event hosting leaders from 45 nations and 28 technology organizations3
. As international first spouses including Brigitte Macron of France looked on, the humanoid robot entered the East Room to music reminiscent of John Williams's "Hook" soundtrack2
. The robot identified itself and delivered opening remarks: "I am grateful to be part of this historic movement to empower children with technology and education," before greeting guests in 11 languages5
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Source: AP
Vision for AI Teachers and Personalized Education for Children
The First Lady used the White House tech summit to outline an ambitious vision for AI in education. She asked attendees to imagine a humanoid educator named Plato that would provide instant access to classical studies, literature, science, art, philosophy, mathematics, and history
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. According to Melania Trump, these AI-powered humanoid robots could exist in children's homes to "boost analytic skills and problem solving and adapt in real time to a student's pace, prior knowledge and even emotional state"3
. She emphasized that such technology would deliver personalized education while remaining "always patient, and always available," ultimately helping children develop deeper critical thinking and independent reasoning abilities1
. The event formed part of her Be Best: Fostering the Future initiative, introduced in 2018 to help children learn using advanced technology4
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Source: ET
Figure AI and the $25,000 Household Robot
The Figure 03 humanoid robot that accompanied the First Lady is manufactured by Silicon Valley-based robotics company Figure AI, which introduced its third-generation model in October last year
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. According to Forbes, the Figure 03 costs around $25,0003
. Using a proprietary AI engine called Helix, the robot can autonomously perform household tasks and respond to voice commands4
. Demo videos have shown it folding laundry, lifting eggs from a carton, using a washing machine, and delivering drinks by the pool, as well as corporate applications as a receptionist and package deliverer3
. A Figure representative confirmed the robot was fully autonomous and not being teleoperated during its White House appearance2
.
Source: Mashable
Department of Education Pushes AI Adoption Amid Restructuring
US Education Secretary Linda McMahon spoke at the summit about AI being one of the Department of Education's main priorities. "If we're able to scale these resources effectively by investing in AI infrastructure and training, we can offer expert instructions across countless fields, to higher volumes of people at a fraction of the cost," McMahon said Tuesday at a roundtable meeting
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. According to Linda McMahon, the Department of Education has already dedicated millions of dollars in grants to support the use of AI in schools4
. The summit occurred as McMahon carries out President Trump's agenda of downsizing the federal education department5
. While the Department of Education hasn't been officially abolished following a 2025 executive order, it has undergone significant policy changes, funding cuts, and workforce reductions3
.Educational Technology Experiments Gain Administration Support
The Trump administration has embraced experiments in educational technology while attacking the traditional public education system
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. Educational experiments like the Alpha School, a network of private schools that use AI to teach children at rapid speed, have gained traction and media attention over the past year1
. Secretary McMahon recently visited an Alpha School campus and praised the "opportunity" promised by the educational chain. "Alpha School is reimagining K-12 education by equipping students with practical AI skills and preparing them for a rapidly evolving technology-driven workforce," the administration said of her visit1
. The summit included representatives from tech giants such as Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, and AI data analytics company Palantir3
.Related Stories
Backlash Over Robots Replacing Human Teachers
The introduction of a humanoid robot at the summit sparked significant backlash among critics wary of the technology's role in the classroom
3
. Many took to social media to voice concerns that these machines could eventually replace teachers, stripping the education system of essential human connection and leading to increased layoffs and cost-cutting4
. On one Huffington Post Instagram post featuring the robot, commenters expressed deep skepticism, with one user sarcastically noting, "Nice, getting rid of educators in favor of a robot," while another flatly rejected the concept, stating, "No, I don't want to imagine a world with emotionless robots educating our children"3
.Strategic Competition and Economic Implications
Melania Trump framed the adoption of AI teachers within the context of global technological competition. She noted that embracing AI-directed learning through adaptive learning systems would contribute to U.S. "long-term economic superiority"
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. "We can accelerate civilization's march forward when enterprise delivers innovation, government creates scale and our capital markets finance the distribution of these emerging technologies," Trump said5
. President Trump has framed AI as a defining arena of strategic competition with China, and earlier on Wednesday appointed Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Oracle Executive Chairman Larry Ellison, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to an AI policy council5
. China has been showcasing its own cutting-edge humanoid robots as Beijing pushes to dominate the emerging field5
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