During a visit to Marine Corps Air Station New River, First Lady Melania Trump warned that artificial intelligence (AI) is set to redefine the nature of modern warfare, potentially having a greater impact than nuclear weapons. In her remarks, she outlined how AI is reshaping U.S. defense strategies and emphasized the importance of the technology in the Trump administration’s approach to national security. The first lady also discussed the administration’s initiative to standardize AI regulations at the federal level, rather than relying on state-specific rules.
Trump reiterated that the pace of AI development is critical, asserting that it will revolutionize warfare by increasing speed and precision. She specifically noted the deployment of autonomous systems such as swarming drones and unmanned aircraft, describing the transition from human-operated to machine-driven military operations as already underway. The first lady’s comments were framed within the context of the executive branch’s broader AI policy, detailed in the ‘Winning the AI Race: America’s AI Action Plan’ published earlier this year.
As part of the visit, Trump acknowledged the legacy of the Marine Corps and praised its 250 years of service. The first lady welcomed two Marine Corps personnel, Sgt. Blake Donoher and Cpl. Daishamari Cannon, onto the stage. Additionally, the event coincided with national Thanksgiving preparations, with both Trump and second lady Usha Vance visiting classrooms at Camp Lejeune, where students showcased AI projects as part of the Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge.
The visit also highlighted collaborative efforts between the White House and tech leaders, including Google’s CEO, who attended a recent meeting with Trump. Despite the focus on technological advancement, the first lady did not shy away from emphasizing the importance of military service and the role of families in supporting those in uniform. Her remarks concluded with a message of gratitude, urging the nation to remember the contributions of service members and their families during the holiday season.