Artificial Intelligence

Legislation putting new restrictions on large-scale data centers, major plank of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to put guardrails on artificial intelligence, cleared its first House committee, The State Affairs Committee voted 24-1 on the measure (HB 1007) that in part addresses key issues such as electricity and water use needed to maintain the data centers.

Gov. Ron DeSantis ratcheted up his concerns last week about potential “serious harms” on humans from the growth of artificial intelligence and the need for state regulations. Yet as the Legislature approaches the scheduled midpoint of the regular session, only the Senate has moved DeSantis’ desired “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights” and his call to lessen the impact of massive data centers on utility ratepayers.

Called the “AI Bill of Rights,” the 23-page legislation bans companion chatbots — AI systems that mimic emotional connection — from speaking to minors without parental consent and requires bots to remind users that they are not human.

Florida lawmakers next week will start the 2026 legislative session. With hundreds of bills filed for consideration during the session.

A new AI-powered tech is showing law enforcement and public health leaders dangerous drugs entering their communities and predicting the drug wave.

Artificial Intelligence has piqued the interest of Florida policy makers and politicians ahead of the upcoming 2026 Legislative session. But the state may be on a collision course with the federal government.

State House Rep. Christine Hunschofsky (D-Parkland) is proposing legislation that would protect minors from the potential psychological risks of AI companion apps.

A typical A.I.-focused data center consumes as much electricity as 100,000 households, but the larger ones under construction will consume 20 times as much, according to the International Energy Agency. On Monday, six Florida organizations signed a letter sent to Congress by more than 200 other groups calling for a national moratorium on approval and construction of such facilities.

On "The Florida Roundup," Sonja Schmer-Galunder, a professor in AI and ethics, compared regulations on artificial intelligence to those on seat belts and food safety.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday proposed an artificial intelligence “bill of rights” to stymie unfettered AI growth, crack down on sexual AI chatbots, and restrict AI data centers in Florida.

The investment will train educators, enhance digital infrastructure and develop AI-centered curriculum resources for college and K–12 faculty. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez drew laughter at a panel in the downtown campus when he admitted to using AI to put together a last-minute speech.

Florida already applies the law as equally to AI as it does to humans, witnesses say.