During Thursday’s gathering of the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education, she stated, “The robots are here. Our future is no longer science fiction,” marking her first public appearance since July 13.

As she spoke, she urged leaders to take on the responsibility of managing AI’s development wisely. “During this early stage, it is essential to treat AI as we would our own children: providing empowerment yet maintaining careful oversight,” she remarked, urging priorities on infrastructure, energy, national security, and nurturing talent as the technology advances.

Her involvement in the meeting represents a continuation of her “Be Best” initiative from her first term, which concentrated on ensuring online safety for young people.

Though new objectives for “Be Best” have yet to be clearly defined since her husband’s return to the White House, Melania signaled an intention to include responsible AI cultivation within its framework.

She has been attentive to both the potential and risks associated with emerging technologies, advocating for a presidential AI competition geared toward school-age children.

Earlier this year, she led an effort toward passing the “Take It Down Act,” legislation aimed at protecting Americans from deepfake and revenge pornography.

“As someone who created an AI-powered audio book and championed online safety through the Take It Down Act, I’ve seen firsthand the promise of this powerful technology,” she said in a video introducing the challenge.

Thursday’s event marked the first lady’s eighth appearance at an official event at the White House during President Donald Trump’s second term, underscoring her relative absence from Washington, DC, and selective use of her massive platform as an American first lady.

She’s been seen in public 20 of the days since the president returned to office — less than half of the 46 days she was at this same point in his first term, when she’d attended multiple Oval Office meetings and news conferences with world leaders and made trips to seven countries.

But Melania Trump is in frequent communication with her husband, often in texts or calls exchanged throughout the day, according to sources familiar with the matter.

On Thursday, she addressed emerging technology alongside a cadre of Cabinet members and CEOs.

“We are living in a moment of wonder,” she said, “And it is our responsibility to prepare the children of America.”