Upper Darby student honored by White House in AI competition

Upper Darby High School senior Khandakar Mahin was recognized at the White House on Tuesday as one of six National Champion Team members in the first Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge. First Lady Melania Trump presented the awards, praising students for using AI to address real-world challenges. Mahin’s project, titled *Utilizing Computer Vision for Hotel Room Identification in Criminal Investigations*, won among more than 20,000 participants from all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 49 Department of Defense schools worldwide. The ceremony emphasized AI’s potential to transform industries, education, and social programs by increasing efficiency and personalization. Trump called the students 'the best of America,' encouraging them to pursue innovation and leverage AI for future growth. She noted that emerging technologies are democratizing intellect, reshaping society, and fostering cultural diversity. Mahin, who graduated from Upper Darby High School in June, has taken 16 AP courses, participated in the Delco Hi-Q team, and volunteered as a data assistant for community organizations. His career goals focus on statistics, computer science, and economics. Earlier this year, he was also selected for the Disney Dreamers Academy. The White House event underscored AI’s role in unlocking economic growth and improving public services. Trump urged participants to continue exploring AI’s possibilities, framing the technology as a tool for personal and societal advancement. Mahin’s graduation ceremony took place at Temple University’s Liacouras Center, marking the culmination of his academic achievements. His recognition in the AI competition reflects broader trends in integrating technology into education and criminal justice applications.