Governor DeSantis proposed a statewide AI Bill of Rights focused on privacy, transparency, and consumer protections.
The plan includes new limits on hyperscale data centers, preventing utilities from raising rates to support them.
Local governments would gain the authority to block data center projects and safeguard water and environmental resources.
Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a sweeping proposal Tuesday in The Villages aimed at defining how artificial intelligence can—and cannot—operate in Florida. The plan introduces what the governor calls an “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights” and establishes new guardrails for the development of hyperscale AI data centers across the state.
DeSantis said the changes are designed to protect Floridians’ privacy, security, and quality of life as AI becomes more intertwined with day-to-day services, government operations, and commercial products.
“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.”
The proposal focuses heavily on consumer protections and transparency around AI tools. Key elements include:
Deepfake protections: The legislation would reinforce existing Florida laws prohibiting explicit AI-generated content—especially deepfakes involving minors.
Ban on Chinese-created AI for government use: State and local agencies would be barred from using tools such as DeepSeek or other AI systems developed in China, citing privacy and national security concerns.
Name, Image, Likeness restrictions: AI systems would be prohibited from using a person’s likeness without consent, particularly in political ads, fraudulent schemes, and other commercial uses.
AI transparency notices: Companies would be required to notify consumers when they’re interacting with an AI system, such as a chatbot.
No AI-provided therapy: Licensed mental health counseling could not be conducted solely by AI, and the law would restrict AI from impersonating a licensed professional.
Parental controls: Parents would gain access to their child’s conversations with large language models, along with the ability to set usage windows and receive notifications if the system flags concerning behavior.
Data security and privacy: The proposal includes new limits on how companies collect, handle, store, and share personal information fed into AI systems—mirroring existing Florida data privacy laws.
Insurance AI limits: Insurance companies would be restricted from using AI as the sole basis for denying or adjusting claims, and the state’s Office of Insurance Regulation would be allowed to inspect the AI models insurers rely on.
The second half of the proposal takes aim at the rapid growth of hyperscale AI data centers—facilities that require massive amounts of electricity, water, and industrial infrastructure.
Under DeSantis’ plan:
Utilities couldn’t charge customers more to subsidize data center development, preventing rate hikes tied to power demand for large AI facilities.
Taxpayers wouldn’t fund subsidies for Big Tech companies building or expanding data centers in Florida.
Local governments would keep the power to block data center projects in their communities.
Water usage would be protected, ensuring that data center cooling operations do not threaten public water resources.
Environmental safeguards would increase, including restrictions on building data centers on agricultural or greenbelt-classified land, noise abatement requirements, and limits on development by foreign principals.
The proposals will now move to the Florida Legislature, where lawmakers will decide how much of the governor’s AI and data center agenda becomes law during the upcoming session. If approved, the package would position Florida as one of the states with the most comprehensive and restrictive AI governance frameworks in the country.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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