The White House has opened registration for its 2027 Presidential Super Intelligence Challenge, inviting K-12 students, educators and schools to develop technology-based solutions to community problems. The initiative expands the administration’s effort to promote advanced AI education while using its preferred term, “super intelligence.”
Challenge targets American schools
First Lady Melania Trump announced the program on October 13, 2026. The White House says students can take part in a project-based competition involving creative and innovative projects that address challenges in schools, communities and beyond.
The official program page says schools, students and educators of all backgrounds and expertise are encouraged to participate. Registration for the 2027 challenge is open through December 18, 2026.
New readiness seal for schools
The White House announcement describes a new First Lady Seal of AI Readiness, while the program page labels it the First Lady Seal of SI Readiness. Participating schools can earn the seal by completing and submitting evidence of milestones focused on preparing students and educators to understand, use and responsibly engage with super intelligence.
The program page says entire schools can participate by completing milestones that demonstrate a posture of SI readiness. It also says the challenge is intended to help schools build interest, readiness and competency in SI technology.
20,000 students joined earlier
The White House said the inaugural challenge engaged more than 20,000 students from all 50 states and U.S. schools around the world. The 2027 challenge will continue the project-based competition and add school participation through the readiness milestones.
SI.gov sets program details
The official Presidential SI Challenge page says student participants will complete projects involving the study, development or use of an SI method or tool to address community challenges. Educators will focus on creative approaches to teaching or using SI technologies in K-12 learning.
The program is part of a broader federal terminology change. Executive Order 14434, signed on September 29, 2026, directs executive departments and agencies to use “Super Intelligence” and “SI” in official communications instead of “Artificial Intelligence” and “AI.” The order says SI retains the existing statutory definition of artificial intelligence unless changed by later action.
References
The White House. (2026, October 13). First Lady Melania Trump launches 2027 Presidential SI Challenge and establishes First Lady Seal of SI Readiness. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2026/10/first-lady-melania-trump-launches-2027-presidential-si-challenge-and-establishes-first-lady-seal-of-si-readiness/
SI.gov. (2026). Presidential SI Challenge. https://www.si.gov/initiatives/presidential-challenge
The White House. (2026, September 29). Inaugurating the era of Super Intelligence. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/inaugurating-the-era-of-super-intelligence/