Melania Trump has chosen to keep a low profile during her return to the White House as First Lady, stepping away from typical first lady roles. However, she continues to champion issues dear to her heart, particularly her Be Best program which addresses modern challenges faced by children.
Last week, Melania attended an event at the White House focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI). She emphasized her intention to aid America’s youth in understanding and responsibly using AI. Despite her intentions, her speech didn’t resonate with everyone.
Arwa Mahdawi, a columnist from The Guardian in the US, expressed a sharp opinion, suggesting that Melania’s interests might be more personal.
Upon reentering the White House, Melania chose a distinctive approach to her first lady duties, opting to maintain a certain distance from the traditional spotlight and the intense scrutiny of the Oval Office. This choice sparked curiosity and speculation among the public.
Despite this, Melania continues to be active in her capacity as First Lady. Her Be Best initiative, launched during her husband’s first term, is a testimony to her ongoing efforts.
According to its official website, Be Best is dedicated to addressing significant child-related issues, aiming to inspire kids to excel individually and instill values of social, emotional, and physical well-being. It focuses on three primary areas: well-being, online safety, and combating opioid abuse.
Melania’s Effort to Prepare Kids for AI
On Thursday, September 4, Melania participated in a rare public appearance supporting her Be Best initiative. She led a session at the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education, discussing collaborative approaches for parents and children in engaging with AI.
“The robots are here. Our future is no longer science fiction,” Melania stated. “As leaders and parents, we must manage AI’s growth responsibly. During this early stage, we should treat AI as our own children: empowering them while guiding them carefully.
“We are living in a moment of wonder,” she concluded. “And it is our responsibility to prepare America’s children for this future.”
Her focus on preparing children for technological advancements was seen positively by some. But others, like Mahdawi, expressed skepticism about Melania’s motivations and the effectiveness of her involvement.
The day following Melania’s statement, Mahdawi penned a critique, questioning whether Melania’s aspirations with AI were genuine in benefiting children.
Mahdawi highlighted Melania’s scripted speech delivery and suggested she may “not be the best person to help manage AI’s growth responsibly or protect children from technology risks.” She further criticized Melania and her husband, hinting at a perceived inconsistency in their actions.
Commentary on Melania and Donald Trump’s AI Approach
“If Melania wishes to foster AI’s integration into education, she might persuade her husband to support public education instead,” Mahdawi asserted. She elaborated on the Trump administration’s proposals to cut funding for programs like Head Start, which helps low-income families, and to discontinue funding for children’s educational programs.
The column also featured AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton’s recent remarks to the Financial Times, predicting AI might “enrich a few while impoverishing many.”
Mahdawi concluded by speculating that the excitement among Melania, and the billionaire tech figures surrounding her, may stem from this wealth disparity AI could create.
We’d love to hear your views on this! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
