During a joint visit with Second Lady Usha Vance at Marine Corps Air Station New River, First Lady Melania Trump delivered a speech highlighting the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping modern warfare. She warned that AI could redefine conflict more profoundly than any technological advancement since the development of nuclear weapons, underscoring the administration’s strategic focus on maintaining a technological edge in global defense. This statement aligns with the Trump administration’s broader emphasis on AI as a cornerstone of national security, particularly as part of its ‘Winning the AI Race’ initiative launched in July.
The event marked the first joint visit of the first and second ladies to troops and their families, with Trump emphasizing the rapid shift from human-operated to machine-assisted military systems. She discussed the deployment of autonomous drones, swarming technologies, and unmanned aircraft, all of which signal a significant transformation in the battlefield’s dynamics. The Trump administration has also been promoting a uniform federal regulatory framework for AI, a policy highlighted by the President’s recent post on Truth Social, which called for an end to the fragmented state-level approach to AI regulation.
The visit coincided with Thanksgiving preparations, during which the first and second ladies engaged with students at Camp Lejeune, celebrating educational initiatives such as the Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge. The event included interactive activities, such as a classroom game of Heads Up! where students demonstrated their AI knowledge, showcasing the administration’s interest in blending education with emerging technologies. Additionally, the visit highlighted the military’s role in national security, with Trump thanking service members and their families for their dedication and service to the country.