(The Center Square) – Gov. Ron DeSantis’s push to regulate AI has received pushback from President Donald Trump, who plans to clamp down on states that have pursued various restrictions.
DeSantis’ proposal includes a long list of regulations that aim to protect citizens against “deep fakes” and explicit material, prohibit state or local government agencies from using Chinese-created AI tools, stop companies from selling or sharing personal identifying information and more.
“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,” DeSantis said in a Friday news release.
Trump took to his social media platform on Monday to say he would issue an executive order this week for “one rulebook.” The industry has lobbied for deregulation, saying the different restrictions in each state are too burdensome for companies to follow.
“We are beating all countries at this point in the race, but that won’t last long if we are going to have 50 states, many of them bad actors, involved in rules and the approval process,” Trump said on Truth Social. “You can’t expect a company to get 50 approvals every time they want to do something. That will never work!”
Trump did not offer details on the executive order. His previous orders have undone AI rules enacted during the Biden administration.
Florida lawmakers are examining AI in their subcommittee meetings this week. The House Information Technology Budget and Policy Subcommittee has scheduled a Tuesday discussion about the use of AI in state agencies.
The House Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee is set to hear presentations on the use of AI by infrastructure providers, and the House Careers & Workforce Subcommittee will examine AI’s role in the workplace, including challenges and workforce readiness.
DeSantis signed a Digital Bill of Rights into law in 2023 that afforded protections like the right to control personal data. It also requires search engines like Google to disclose whether they prioritize search results based on political ideology, among other things.
In 2024 a bill that would have prohibited government agencies from using AI to detect concealed firearms in public places failed to advance through the state legislature.
Republican Rep. Monique Miller of Palm Bay said she filed the bill because emerging technology was making it easier to violate the Fourth Amendment, which protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government.
The bill would have prevented “warrantless use of artificial intelligence powered cameras.” It included exceptions for federally protected areas like schools and courthouses.
