Melania Trump and Figure 3 Bring Humanoid AI to the White House

Melania Trump’s decision to bring a humanoid robot into the White House this week turned a policy summit into a vivid public demonstration of where artificial intelligence is heading next. At the second day of the Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition Summit, Trump appeared alongside Figure 3, a humanoid robot created by California startup Figure AI, making it what she called her “first American made humanoid guest in the White House.” The gathering focused on children, education, innovation, and emerging technology, and it gave first spouses and tech representatives an unusually direct look at AI moving beyond screens and into physical form.

Figure 3 did far more than stand beside the first lady. The robot walked slowly with Trump down the red carpet toward the East Room, circled the table where panelists were seated, paused in the center of the room, scanned the audience, and then began to speak in a female voice. It thanked Melania Trump for the invitation, called it an honor to attend the coalition’s inaugural meeting, and described itself as “a humanoid built in the United States of America.” It then welcomed attendees in 11 languages with impressive pronunciation before retracing its steps out of the room. Audience members appeared surprised and fascinated, snapping photos as the demonstration unfolded without major technical problems.

Trump used the moment to present humanoid AI as part of a broader vision for children’s education. She said artificial intelligence would soon move “from our mobile phones to humanoids that deliver utility” and argued that machines shaped like people are especially suited to operate in environments designed for humans. She even invited guests to imagine a robot educator named Plato teaching classical studies, while giving children more time for friendships, sports, and other interests that help create “a more complete person.” At the same time, she stressed that the safety of the next generation must remain paramount, underscoring the central tension surrounding AI development: excitement about possibility alongside concern about risk.

Behind the White House showcase is Figure AI, one of the most closely watched startups in humanoid robotics. Founded in 2022 by entrepreneur Brett Adcock, the company has quickly positioned itself against larger rivals such as Tesla’s Optimus, Boston Dynamics, and several Chinese competitors. Figure introduced Figure 3 in October 2025 as a third generation humanoid designed to help with household tasks such as laundry, cleaning, and washing dishes, while also targeting logistics and manufacturing work. Its robots are powered by the company’s in house Helix AI system, a vision language action model intended to help machines learn through observation and verbal commands.

Investor enthusiasm has helped fuel the company’s rise. In September, Figure AI raised more than $1 billion in a Series C round that gave it a post money valuation of $39 billion, with backing from Nvidia, Intel Capital, Qualcomm Ventures, and Salesforce. The company has already begun commercial work with BMW, where its robots handle tasks such as moving sheet metal parts in manufacturing facilities. A White House appearance gives the young firm a major visibility boost and places it at the center of a growing national conversation about robotics, especially as countries such as China also showcase humanoid machines at high profile public events.

Still, the celebration comes with unresolved questions. Figure AI is facing a lawsuit from former head of product safety Robert Gruendel, who alleges he was fired after warning executives that the company’s robots were powerful enough to seriously injure a person, including fracturing an adult human skull. He also claimed one robot gouged a steel refrigerator door during a malfunction. Figure AI has denied the allegations, said Gruendel was dismissed for poor performance, and filed a countersuit in January. The case remains pending, but it has intensified debate over how safety standards should evolve as humanoid robots become more capable and more visible. The summit itself reflected that broader balancing act. Trump welcomed first spouses including Sara Netanyahu and Olena Zelenska earlier in the event to discuss public private partnerships with companies such as Meta and OpenAI, though she left Wednesday’s session after her opening remarks. Even so, Figure 3’s brief walk through the White House captured a larger truth: AI is no longer just a tool people use. It is increasingly something that can physically enter the spaces where public life unfolds.

Works Cited

Butts, Dylan. “Meet Figure AI: The Company Behind the Humanoid Robot Hosted by Melania Trump.” CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026, www.cnbc.com/2026/03/26/figure-ai-the-robotics-company-hosted-by-melania-trump.html. 

Klein, Betsy. “Melania Trump Brings an AI-Powered Robot to the White House and Says There Could Be More of Them Soon.” CNN, 25 Mar. 2026, www.cnn.com/2026/03/25/politics/melania-trump-ai-robot. 

“Humanoid Robot Joins Melania Trump at White House for Summit on Technology and Kids.” CBC News, 25 Mar. 2026, www.cbc.ca/news/world/humanoid-melania-trump-robot-summit-9.7141974.

“The Robots Are Here: Melania Trump and White House Officials Spout Gibberish About AI.” Rolling Stone, 4 Sept. 2025, www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/melania-trump-white-house-artificial-intelligence-education-1235421776/.