As the 250th anniversary of the American Republic looms, a high-stakes conversation about the soul of the nation took place in Sarasota today. Governor Ron DeSantis convened a panel at New College of Florida to tackle the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, framing the technology as a double-edged sword that requires immediate, human-centered regulation.
New College President Richard Corcoran opened the event by praising the Governor’s proposed A.I. Bill of Rights, calling it the necessary “right place to begin” in a race against emerging digital risks.
The atmosphere was heavy with a sense of urgency, particularly when the discussion turned toward the protection of children. The Honorable Janet Kelly stepped in for Megan Garcia, a mother grieving the loss of her son to a suicide reportedly influenced by a chatbot. Kelly didn’t pull any punches, comparing the need for AI oversight to basic safety standards for baby formula or bike helmets.
“Too many children have already suffered,” Kelly warned, describing AI as a pervasive threat that enters a child’s life through their phone, reaching into “their deepest and most vulnerable thoughts.”
The panel, which included MIT researcher Max Tegmark and author Mike McClellan, explored how unchecked algorithms could quietly erode individual liberty. There was a shared concern among speakers that some AI systems are built on ideological frameworks—specifically socialist or communist models—that might eventually favor machine-driven control over human behavior.
Max Tegmark noted that while innovation is vital, it shouldn’t come at the cost of public safety. He floated the idea of a modern “Manhattan Project” for AI to bolster national security, but balanced it with a sharp critique of corporate interests. “If a government can close a restaurant because of a rat problem, shouldn’t it be able to protect all of us from A.I. that is not serving humanity but rather the interests of the few?” Tegmark asked, arguing that citizens shouldn’t be forced to subsidize tech giants through higher energy costs.
Author Mike McClellan added a layer of historical perspective, citing James Madison’s famous line: “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” Since neither the creators nor the machines are angels, McClellan argued that safety must be a primary design feature, not an afterthought. He labeled the current trend of tech giants receiving special treatment as a new form of “crony capitalism” that threatens both the market and personal freedom.
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The urgency of the moment was perhaps best captured by Tom Gaitens, who reminded the audience that the dystopian sci-fi tropes of the past have officially arrived in the present.
“This is not a novel. It is not a movie. It is real life,” Gaitens said. “People are dying now. Children are becoming victims.” He warned that if the government fails to stop the exploitation of an individual’s name, image, and likeness (NIL), or allows deepfakes to run rampant, the moral foundation of the country will crumble.
He painted a grim picture of the nation’s upcoming anniversary, suggesting that without action, the celebration could turn into an “Irish wake” where the voices of “We the People” are drowned out.
Governor DeSantis doubled down on the importance of protecting the creative output of artists and songwriters from AI exploitation. He argued that the very essence of American exceptionalism is found in individualism and personal ownership.
“Our individualism is what makes America, America,” the Governor stated, insisting that AI must remain a tool that serves humanity rather than a force that replaces or controls it.
The event, which some attendees likened to a modern-day “Time for Choosing,” also served as a springboard for PutHumansFirst.org. Activists at the college wore shirts declaring “The Future Must Be Human,” signaling the start of a grassroots campaign to mobilize families and small businesses.
“The effort to inform moms, families, small businesses, and everyday people begins now,” said Alice Rothbauer, Florida Grassroots Organizer for PutHumansFirst.org, at the meeting. “A.I. affects everyone, and we have already lost too much time in the effort to rein in tech giants who have left too many of our kids at risk.”
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