Melania Trump steps out with unusual companion
Source: FLOTUS
US first lady Melania Trump has walked down a red-carpeted hallway at the White House, accompanied by a humanoid robot.
The robot, which introduced itself as “Figure 03”, joined Trump in the East Room on Wednesday (local time) to welcome dozens of first spouses from around the world to the technology-focused Fostering the Future Together summit.
“I am grateful to be part of this historic movement to empower children with technology and education,” the robot said, greeting guests in 11 languages.
Trump said Figure 03 was the first US-made humanoid guest at the White House. She used its appearance to promote the need for governments and major technology companies to work together to use AI for student instruction.
“Very soon artificial intelligence will move from our mobile phones to humanoids that deliver utility,” she said.
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Figure 03’s pitch-perfect performance contrasted with that of a robot compatriot in California last week.
Footage of the robot waiter at a Hot Pot restaurant in San Jose went viral after it started dancing and refused to stop. Staff had to restrain the bot – which wore an apron emblazoned with “I’m good” – as it waved its arms around wildly, knocking over tableware, smashing plates and sending chopsticks flying.
One employee held robot by the scruff of its neck as she tried desperately to use her phone, presumably searching for its controls.
It eventually took three workers to restrain the wayward device. All had to duck to avoid being smacked.
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The restaurant chain later told NBC News that the robot “was not malfunctioning or out of control”. It said its movements were preprogrammed, but came in “a closer-than-usual setting”.
Trump, a former model, described how in the near future a hypothetical humanoid teacher could quickly access classical studies, mathematics and other subjects to deliver personalised education to students based on their learning speed and “emotional state”.
US Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who is leading President Donald Trump’s agenda of downsizing the federal education department, smiled from the front row as the first lady talked about shaking up education.
“We can accelerate civilisation’s march forward when enterprise delivers innovation, government creates scale and our capital markets finance the distribution of these emerging technologies,” Trump said.
The President’s wife also warned of technological dangers, a concern echoed by France’s first lady Brigitte Macron, who touted her country’s moves to restrict screen time and social media for children.
“The safety of our next generation is always paramount,” she said.
Trump didn’t linger at Wednesday’s event. She was in the East Room for seven minutes for her speech before departing ahead a panel discussion on artificial intelligence in education. She also skipped a networking and relationship-building event she had encouraged her fellow spouses to attend.
Earlier on Wednesday, President Trump appointed Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Oracle executive chairman Larry Ellison and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to a council that will weigh in on AI policy and other issues.
-with AAP
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