Presidential AI challenge calls on K-12 students to help push AI innovation

The White House has launched the first-ever student-driven AI challenge – for all kids, kindergarten through high school – to foster AI innovation in communities across the nation.

The Presidential AI Challenge initiative, led by First Lady Melania Trump, was announced on Thursday, coinciding with US President Donald Trump’s landmark Executive Order to create one, unified national AI policy.

The new law will create an overarching federal policy aimed at preempting the current patchwork of individual state AI laws, which the Trump administration – along with many tech heavyweights – say is stifling AI-driven economic growth.

“Artificial Intelligence is America’s next competitive edge-driving advancements in your career, supporting your family, and strengthening your community,” the First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS) posted on X.

“This is why I launched the Presidential AI Challenge: a nationwide call to students and educators to shape America's future,” she said.

The Challenge builds upon another EO signed by the President in April, “Advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Education for American Youth,” to help foster interest and expertise in AI technology among the nation’s youngest generations.

“Early training in the responsible use of AI tools will demystify this technology and prepare America’s students to be confident participants in the AI-assisted workforce, propelling our Nation to new heights of scientific innovation and economic achievement,” Mrs. Trump said in Thursday's call for entries.

Submission deadline January 20th

According to the 19-page Presidential AI Challenge "Guidebook for Participation,” the challenge is open to students, educators, and community groups, such as 4-H Clubs. Homeschool educators are also eligible.

The challenge encourages "K-12 youth, educators, mentors, and community teams to come together to solve real-world problems in their communities using AI-powered solutions,” the handbook states.

Student participants are asked to complete a project that “involves the study, development, or use of an AI method or tool to address community challenges." Educators will focus on creative approaches to teaching or using AI technologies in K-12 learning.

The students will compete in teams of up to 4 participants – served by “Lead Educator or Supervising Adult (18 years or older) – and will have the opportunity to showcase their solutions at a national level.

“Teams from all 50 states have already registered,” Mrs. Trump said, with registration initially opened this past August.

National Championship teams will recieve $10K each

The Challenge will culminate with a three-day, in-person National Championships event to be held in Washington, D.C., next June, with awards handed out in each grade.

State champions will include a Presidential Certificate of Achievement, Cloud Credits, and access to special web-based resources. Regional winners will also be eligible to be invited to the championships in the nation’s capital.

National winners in the middle school, high school, and educator categories will be awarded additional monetary prizes, including:

• $10,000 for the school, homeschool, or community group
• $10,000 per team member

Winners will be announced late spring. To find out more information, you can visit the Presidential AI Challenge website here.

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