Indian-American students emerged among the top winners of the inaugural Presidential AI Challenge at the White House. First Lady Melania Trump honoured national champions whose innovative AI projects addressed bullying prevention, education, criminal investigations, accessibility, and urban development, highlighting the growing influence of Indian-origin students in STEM education.
Several Indian-American students were recognised among the national champions of the inaugural Presidential AI Challenge, receiving honours at a special White House ceremony hosted by First Lady Melania Trump. The nationwide artificial intelligence competition attracted more than 20,000 student participants from across the United States and overseas Department of Defence schools, highlighting the growing importance of AI education and innovation among young learners.
The Presidential AI Challenge brought together students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Department of Defence schools located in multiple countries. The competition encouraged participants to develop practical artificial intelligence solutions addressing real-world challenges, ranging from education and accessibility to public safety and community development.
Among the standout winners was a five-member Indian-origin team from Aldie, Virginia. The students—Aarna Jaiswal, Eshani Khatri, Riva Madda, Samhitha Pinnamareddy and Sanuli Rathnayake—captured the Elementary School Track 2 national title for their innovative project, the “Friendzone Chatbot Bullying Prevention App.” The application was designed to help identify and address bullying issues among students, demonstrating how AI can be used to create safer and more supportive educational environments.
Another successful Indian-origin team represented NorthStar Middle School in Sammamish, Washington. Team members Viha Iyer, Arya Pratap and Shrimayi Shetty secured victory in the Middle School Track 1 category with their project, “SkillUp.” The initiative showcased the potential of artificial intelligence to support learning and skill development among students, reflecting the increasing role of technology in modern education.
In the high school division, Khandakar Mahin of Upper Darby Senior High School in Pennsylvania emerged as the national champion in Track 1. His project, titled “Utilising Computer Vision for Hotel Room Identification in Criminal Investigations,” demonstrated the practical application of AI and computer vision technology in assisting law enforcement and investigative processes. Organisers noted that Mahin is set to graduate from high school this week and will attend Harvard University later this year.
Addressing the award recipients, First Lady Melania Trump praised the students for their creativity, innovation and dedication. She described the participants as the future of American technological advancement and commended them for representing the best of the nation’s emerging talent.
“It is wonderful to see this very impressive group of innovators at the White House. I’m proud that you represent the best of America. You are our future,” she said during the ceremony.
The First Lady highlighted the overwhelming response to the competition, noting that more than 20,000 students participated in the inaugural challenge. She described the initiative as an important platform for encouraging innovation and helping young people explore the possibilities offered by artificial intelligence.
According to Melania Trump, the competition was designed to inspire students to pursue technological innovation while developing practical solutions to contemporary challenges. She encouraged participants to continue exploring new opportunities and to contribute to maintaining America’s leadership in advanced technologies.
The White House stated that the winning projects addressed a broad range of issues, including bullying prevention, educational support, accessibility solutions for visually impaired individuals, criminal investigations and urban development. The diversity of projects reflected the vast potential of AI to improve everyday life and solve complex societal problems.
In addition to student winners, the event also recognised educator champion teams from North Carolina and New Jersey for their efforts in promoting AI literacy and innovation in classrooms. Following the awards ceremony, participants attended a reception held in the White House Rose Garden.
Artificial intelligence has become a central focus of American education and technology policy as the United States seeks to strengthen its position in emerging technologies. Policymakers have increasingly emphasised AI literacy, digital skills and innovation among students to prepare the next generation for a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
The strong representation of Indian-American students among the winners also highlights the growing influence of Indian-origin youth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Indian-Americans have long played significant roles in the U.S. technology sector, leading major companies, research institutions and start-ups. Their continued success in national academic and innovation competitions reflects an enduring commitment to excellence in technology and scientific achievement.
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The inaugural Presidential AI Challenge has not only celebrated outstanding student innovation but also underscored the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in shaping the future, with young innovators at the forefront of that change.
