First Lady Melania Trump delivered a stark warning about the future of warfare during a visit to Camp Lejeune on Wednesday, telling Marines and their families that artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the battlefield — and the US must be ready.
“AI will alter war more profoundly than any technology since nuclear weapons,” she said, calling speed the defining factor of future conflict as weaponry, detection and decision-making move toward automation. “Artificial Intelligence will take center stage in the theater of war.”
The first lady has made the introduction of AI in schools a priority, announcing a “Presidential AI Challenge” in August that “seeks to inspire young people and educators to create AI-based innovative solutions to community challenges while fostering AI interest and competency,” according to a statement at the time.
Her remarks Wednesday were also aligned with President Trump’s emphasis on the growing importance AI. In July, he announced his “Winning the AI Race: America’s AI Action Plan” and has consistently stated he want the US to lead the world in artificial intelligence.
During her speech, Melania Trump highlighted the military’s rapidly accelerating adoption of AI — and the shift from troops operating systems to overseeing increasingly autonomous ones.
“We are moving from human operators to human overseers fast,” she said, referring to autonomous helicopters, swarming drones, reconnaissance aircraft and the coming generation of pilotless jets and bombers.
At Lejeune High School earlier in the day, Trump said she saw firsthand how students are preparing for that future.
She praised the school’s “ecosystem” of teachers, parents and students for embracing the Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge, saying their creativity and technical ability “is poised to drive innovation for America.”
The First Lady’s remarks followed an introduction from second lady Usha Vance, who noted her own husband, Vice President JD Vance, had served nearby at Marine Corps Station Cherry Point.
“He’s told me so many stories about his time in eastern North Carolina that this feels like home,” she said.
The second lady also touted her recent work focused on children and families, including her support for new protections for kids online and an executive order aimed at helping children in foster care transition into adulthood.
The two visited the base as the Marine Corps marked its 250th birthday, praising Marines’ “two and a half centuries of courage, tradition and excellence.”
As the holidays approach, the first lady closed with a message for families whose loved ones will be deployed through Thanksgiving.
“Please know that our nation is thinking of you, praying for you and deeply grateful for your service,” she said. “To every military spouse and child — you serve our country too.”
“Happy Thanksgiving.”
