Artificial intelligence (AI) offers powerful opportunities to address local, state, and regional challenges, and the Presidential AI Challenge invites students and educators of all backgrounds to develop AI-driven solutions that strengthen their communities. By fostering early interest and responsible use of AI, the challenge helps demystify the technology and prepares young people to confidently participate in an AI-enhanced workforce. Through projects that explore, develop, or apply AI tools—and creative approaches to teaching them—participants will help drive America’s next era of innovation as we celebrate 250 years of independence and look toward the future.