Melania Trump’s 11-year-old SOTU guest uses AI to transform classrooms: 'It's a really valuable thing'

WASHINGTON, DC: First Lady Melania Trump invited a special guest to Tuesday’s State of the Union, 11-year-old Everest Nevraumont from Texas, a student who is demonstrating how artificial intelligence can reshape education.

Nevraumont, who attends Alpha School in Austin, highlighted how AI helps her and her peers learn faster and more efficiently. By integrating technology into daily lessons, students can complete traditional coursework in a fraction of the usual time, freeing them to pursue other skills and interests.

Everest Nevraumont explains AI’s impact on learning

Nevraumont said AI has accelerated her learning, allowing her to move at twice the pace of typical classrooms. "It was amazing to attend and advocate for education with AI for all Americans," she told America’s Newsroom on Wednesday.

Her invitation came through First Lady Melania Trump’s “Be Best: Fostering the Future” initiative. Nevraumont joined Sierra Burns, a participant in the Melania Trump Foster Youth to Independence Program.

She emphasized that AI should enhance creativity rather than encourage dependency. "You shouldn’t cheat with AI. You should use it to help you learn and get better at whatever you’re trying to do," Nevraumont said. "It’s a really valuable tool."

Melania Trump celebrates Nevraumont’s achievements on Instagram

In a statement, Melania Trump commended both Nevraumont and Burns for reflecting her goal of expanding opportunities through education and technology. An Instagram post highlighted Nevraumont’s accomplishments, including three Texas state championships in history, an International History Bowl win, and a TEDx talk on AI in education.

Alpha School co-founder: Students finish academics in two hours 

Mackenzie Price, co-founder of Alpha School, told the 'Planet Tyrus' podcast that students complete roughly two hours of academic work per day while learning at about twice the rate of traditional classrooms.

"What we’re finding is in only two hours of work a day, our kids are learning twice as much as kids in a traditional school," Price said.

AI is central to this approach, helping students not just consume knowledge but create it. "They’re the ones who will live out in that gray frontier of creating new knowledge, not just knowing what’s out there," Price added.

Nevraumont’s appearance at the SOTU highlighted how emerging technologies can empower students and reshape the future of American education.