Tampa, FL, March 26, 2026 — In a surprising turn at the Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition Summit on Wednesday, First Lady Melania Trump was escorted by a walking, talking humanoid robot, Figure 03, during the opening of the event. The summit, focused on empowering children through education and technology, took place over two days with participation from leaders of 45 nations and 28 technology organizations.
The Figure 03 robot, created by Silicon Valley-based robotics company Figure AI, represents the company’s third-generation humanoid technology and carries a price tag of approximately $25,000, according to Forbes. Designed for both home and corporate applications, the robot can fold laundry, deliver drinks, operate appliances, and act as a receptionist, guided by its proprietary AI engine, Helix, which allows autonomous task execution and voice interaction.
US Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized AI as a priority for the Department of Education, noting, “If we can scale these resources effectively by investing in AI infrastructure and training, we can offer expert instruction across countless fields at a fraction of the cost.” The department has already allocated millions in grants to support AI deployment in schools.
At the summit, the humanoid robot greeted attendees on the red carpet, delivering opening remarks and welcoming guests in multiple languages. Melania Trump highlighted the potential of AI-powered humanoids to serve as personalized educational assistants, stating they could adapt in real time to a student’s pace, prior knowledge, and even emotional state, enhancing analytic and problem-solving skills.
The event featured notable figures from the tech industry, including representatives from Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, and Palantir, and was aligned with the First Lady’s Be Best: Fostering the Future initiative. Launched in 2018, the program aims to integrate advanced technology into education while promoting child well-being.
However, the introduction of the humanoid robot sparked public debate. Critics raised concerns that AI educators could replace human teachers, reduce essential interpersonal connections, and lead to job losses. Social media reactions ranged from skepticism to outright opposition, questioning the role of emotionless machines in education.
Despite the controversy, the Figure 03 appearance underlined a growing trend toward AI integration in learning environments and the ongoing push to explore innovative educational technologies at the national level.
