Melania Trump has told troops to brace for a brave new world of robots on the battlefield in a speech described by critics as ‘dystopian.’
The first lady was speaking to military personnel and their families at Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina, on Wednesday.
Melania said that AI represented the most profound change to warfare since the creation of nuclear weapons and warned that the race for the technology was not one that America could afford to lose.
‘Artificial intelligence is propelling America’s military into a new era. We are moving from human operators to human overseers – fast,’ the first lady said.
‘The shift from soldiers to machines is already underway. Autonomous helicopters, swarming drones, and recon aircraft are here now. Fighter-less jets and autonomous bombers are on the way.’
The unsettling theme sparked a meltdown online, with people complaining that it was unfair to tell troops that they are going to be replaced by robots, particularly in front of their loved ones.
‘Is this speech supposed to be dystopian?’ one user commented.
Another posted on X, ‘Trailer for the new Terminator spinoff.’
A third responded, ‘Whattt? She actually told soldiers they are being replaced by robots?’
Melania has positioned herself at the vanguard of her husband Donald’s AI drive, notably leading the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence in September.
In that speech, she highlighted the technology’s benefits, including driverless taxis, robot-assisted surgeries, and drones.
She also stressed the need to educate the nation’s youth to safeguard against its dangers – ideas which were echoed in her New River speech on Wednesday.
‘To win the AI war, we must train our next generation, for it’s America’s students who will lead the Marine Corps in the future,’ Melania said.
The first lady continued, ‘Technology is changing the art of war … AI will alter war more profoundly than any technology since nuclear weapons.
‘The most significant change will be speed. Speed in weaponry, decision-making, detection, attack, and defense. Artificial intelligence will take center stage in the theater of war, it already plays a meaningful role on the battlefield.
‘Of course, it is the Marine who will always play the most critical role in realizing mission success.’
Many praised Melania for highlighting the importance of the technology.
‘She is so underrated,’ one person commented on X.
Another agreed with the first lady that ‘speed changes everything.’
While a third X user wrote: ‘Class act by our stunning First Lady. Respecting the 250-year legacy of the world’s finest fighting force: USMC. Semper Fi.’
The military has already deployed autonomous systems such as the MQ-9 Reaper drone, used for reconnaissance missions, and the unmanned K-MAX helicopter, deployed in Afghanistan to deliver supplies to avoid roadside risks from IEDs.
The Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program is developing low-cost ‘loyal wingman’ drones to augment the capabilities of manned fighter aircraft. Prototypes from General Atomics and Anduril are slated for deployment in the late 2020s.
A long-range strike bomber, the B-21 Raider, has been designed with advanced AI capabilities so that it can be piloted by just one man, with the potential for full-uncrewed modes in the future.
Trump was joined by Second Lady Usha Vance, whose husband Vice President JD Vance is a former Marine.
The appearance marked the first time Melania and Usha have traveled together for a joint visit without their husbands.
The pair earlier attended Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, also in Jacksonville.
‘Thank you for your service. My husband, the president, is sending best regards. We are both thinking of you,’ Trump told students at Lejeune High School.
She emphasized that she and the president were thinking of the military ‘especially during the holidays’ and wished the students and teachers a happy Thanksgiving.
The pair later visited the DeLalio Elementary School at New River where they sat and chatted with students, taking part in a spelling class.
Melania told one of the little girls she was ‘beautiful.’
Melania, 55, dressed down in a pair of brown leather pants and a matching safari jacket, while Usha, 39, opted for a burgundy-colored, turtleneck dress with matching suede heels.
The first lady’s jacket appeared to be designed by Blazé Milano, featuring various pockets of different sizes and tortoise-shell button detailing. It is currently on sale for $950 on Net-a-Porter, but was originally priced at $1,900.
She paired the look with a pair of chestnut-colored, heeled Christian Louboutin booties that included buckle detailing on the front.
Usha, on the other hand, opted for a figure-hugging, long-sleeve turtleneck dress in a warm burgundy color.
The dress, which is currently for sale at Ralph Lauren for $145, featured a long, draping tie-belt at the waist.
The second lady completed the look with a pair of suede burgundy heels, black Ray-Ban sunglasses, and a pair of statement earrings.
