Melania Trump wants a robot to homeschool your child

In a press conference At the White House on Wednesday, First Lady Melania Trump appeared with a humanoid robot developed by robotics company Figure AI. The pair walked the red carpet together before the robot gave a brief speech, saying: “I am grateful to be part of this historic movement to empower children with technology and education.”

Shortly after these remarks, the machine left the room and disappeared.

The bizarre scene was part of the First Lady’s newly launched, a new initiative Fostering the future together The global summit, which invited international leaders from around the world to discuss how to empower children through educational technology, including artificial intelligence.

This event easily sparked dystopian dreams of the future—particularly one in which the humble (human) schoolteacher was replaced by a Terminator-shaped butler who could walk and speak Latin. In fact, during her speech, the First Lady asked the audience to envision a future in which a humanoid robot serves as the ultimate teacher for the world’s children. (The event occurred at the same time as the Trump administration He announced a separate technology council Staffed by Silicon Valley executives.)

“Imagine a human-like teacher named Plato,” The first lady said. “Access to classical studies is now instantaneous – literature, science, art, philosophy, mathematics, history – the full range of human information is available in the comfort of your own home. Plato will provide a personalized experience adapted to the needs of each student. Plato is always patient and always available. As expected, our children will develop deeper critical thinking and independent reasoning abilities.”

“Honored to be invited to the White House by First Lady Melania Trump,” Figure AI X account published Wednesday.

The First Lady’s comments are clearly forward-looking and do not reflect where robotics and educational technology are today, or where they will be anytime soon. However, the thinking that AI and technology can be used to automate the learning process (and in many ways, replace human teachers) persists. Gain popularity In the technology industry. Such ideas have been repeatedly promoted by the White House.

Over the past year, educational experiments have been conducted such as Alpha School, a network of private schools that Using artificial intelligence to teach children Very quickly, it gained media attention.

The Trump administration has embraced experiments like these, while at the same time attacking the traditional public education system.

Education Secretary Linda E. McMahon, who is in the midst Abolishing the agency itself She was assigned to run, and she found the time, too To visit Alpha School Campus, where she recently hailed the “opportunity” the educational chain promises.

“Alpha School is reimagining K-12 education by equipping students with practical AI skills and preparing them for a rapidly evolving, technology-driven workforce,” Administration He said recentlyFrom McMahon’s visit.

Likewise, Melania Trump’s event on Wednesday highlighted the role the administration feels the tech industry should play in the future of American education — with Trump admits “Participation of leading American technology companies, whose participation reflects the growing role of the private sector in supporting safe and effective educational innovation.”