Governor Ron DeSantis introduced a sweeping legislative proposal Thursday aimed at regulating the artificial intelligence industry, outlining a plan to establish an “AI Bill of Rights” for Florida citizens while putting the brakes on taxpayer-subsidized infrastructure for tech giants.
The Governor’s announcement targets two primary concerns: personal privacy regarding AI interactions and the physical impact of hyperscale data centers on Florida’s resources and utility bills.
“Today, I proposed new legislation on artificial intelligence and AI data centers to protect Floridians’ privacy, security, and quality of life,” DeSantis said. “Our AI proposal will establish an Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights to define and safeguard Floridians’ rights—including data privacy, parental controls, consumer protections, and restrictions on AI use of an individual’s name, image or likeness without consent.”
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Consumer Protections and “AI Therapy” Ban
A significant portion of the proposed legislation focuses on how companies interact with consumers. Notably, the plan seeks to ban entities from providing licensed therapy or mental health counseling through artificial intelligence. This prohibition would extend to AI tools designed to imitate licensed professionals.
The proposal also aims to enforce transparency. Companies utilizing chatbots would be required to provide clear notice to consumers that they are interacting with an AI, rather than a human.
On the financial front, the Governor is calling for limits on how insurance companies utilize algorithms. Under the new rules, AI could not be the sole determining factor in adjusting or denying a claim. Insurers would be required to detail their use of AI and submit their models to the Office of Insurance Regulation for inspection to prevent unfair trade practices.
Parental Rights and Data Privacy
Building on existing state laws regarding deepfakes and explicit material, the proposal introduces new parental controls for minors using large language models. The legislation would grant parents access to the transcripts of conversations their children have with AI platforms, allow them to set time limits on access, and require notifications if a child exhibits concerning behavior during these interactions.
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The plan also addresses data security by prohibiting the sale or sharing of personal identifying information—even if de-identified—with third parties.
Targeting Foreign Tech and NIL
The legislative package includes specific national security measures, prohibiting any state or local government agency from utilizing DeepSeek or other AI tools created by Chinese entities.
Additionally, the proposal strengthens protections for an individual’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). It would prohibit AI from using a person’s NIL without consent, specifically tying violations to the sale of products, political advertisements, or schemes to defraud.
Curbing Hyperscale Data Centers
Beyond software regulations, DeSantis announced a crackdown on the physical footprint of the AI industry: hyperscale data centers. The proposal explicitly aims to protect ratepayers by prohibiting utilities from raising costs on Florida residents to fund the electric, gas, and water infrastructure required by these massive facilities.
The legislation would also ban taxpayer subsidies for “Big Tech” and empower local governments to reject data center development in their communities entirely.
Environmental concerns are also central to the infrastructure plan. The proposal seeks to prevent data centers from being built on agricultural land or land with greenbelt exemptions. It also mandates noise abatement reviews by the Florida Department of Transportation and establishes strict setbacks and vegetative buffers. Furthermore, the plan includes provisions to ensure that the immense water usage often required for cooling data centers does not negatively impact the state’s water resources.
The proposal is expected to be taken up during the upcoming legislative session.
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