US First Lady Melania Trump made a rare public appearance at a school in North Carolina, encouraging children to embrace artificial intelligence and gifting AI development kits to students. The visit, framed as promoting community resilience and educational technology, comes amid growing national anxiety over AI regulation and follows the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in the state in 2024. Although billed as non-political, the trip is seen as a welcome boost for Republicans, who are battling to hold onto a crucial Senate seat in the state ahead of the midterms.

Trump told pupils to "dream big" with the AI tools and stressed it was "very important" for the US to lead the world in the technology, while cautioning that students must also remain "vigilant". Her remarks come as a recent NBC News poll found 69% of Americans oppose AI data centres being built in their neighbourhoods, and as President Trump has dismissed calls for tighter AI regulation as a "sick conspiracy" benefiting China. Melania also praised the school's role in Hurricane Helene recovery, a storm that caused an estimated $60 billion in damage and killed 107 people, having previously toured the disaster zone with the president in January 2025. She has otherwise largely avoided midterm campaign events, including skipping last week's Republican convention in Dallas.