Melania Trump is calling on nations to work together to improve access to education and technology for children around the world.
She delivered her plea while addressing a gathering of her counterparts from more than 40 countries.
The first lady's Fostering the Future Together initiative, which she announced last year, and an inaugural two-day summit that she opened Tuesday are examples of how Melania Trump has expanded her portfolio to embrace global issues.
“As people we dream. As leaders we progress. As nations we will build,” she said in opening remarks. “Beginning today, let’s accelerate our new global alliance, this bond, to positively impact the progress of our children.”
She called on participants to host regional meetings, conduct research studies, begin new partnerships and collaborate with another member country “to cultivate the skills young people need to be successful in this rapidly evolving world.”
She said the goal of empowering children will be achieved by creating innovative programs, advocating for supportive education policies, sponsoring tech-focused legislation and building strong public-private partnerships.
“This room is filled with extraordinary human capital,” the first lady said. She urged the leaders seated around a large U-shaped table in a State Department auditorium to “harness it to elevate your children, to empower your people and to accelerate your economies.”
The gathering included technology companies such as Microsoft, Google and OpenAI.
Among those participating were Olena Zelenska, the spouse of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The first lady announced the Fostering the Future Together initiative during the U.N. General Assembly session last fall.
She said in February that she is focused on her legacy and how she wants her second term as first lady to be remembered.
"Being First Lady is a unique and impactful role," Melania told Hello! Magazine. "It provides an opportunity to shape and influence the nation's legacy. It is essential to recognize, however, that my contributions will be viewed through many lenses. It is crucial to remain mindful and to strive for a legacy that reflects one’s true values and intentions."
Her top priority in her second term has been children, and she’s also calling for an investigation into the role of AI chatbots in teenage suicides.
Melania Trump emphasized the need for more bipartisan work to safeguard children's mental health concerning AI, noting the increasing use of chatbots by young Americans.
Her intervention follows testimonies to Congress from parents, including Matthew Raine, whose son died by suicide after allegedly being coached by ChatGPT.
Melania Trump also highlighted her previous work on the Take It Down Act, signed by President Donald Trump, which combats non-consensual deepfake pornography, often created using AI.
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