An “artificial intelligence bill of rights” began advancing in the Florida Senate on Wednesday amid opposition from tech industry groups and a push by President Donald Trump for nationwide regulation. With the issue a priority for Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee unanimously supported a bill (SB 482) that would establish parents’ “rights” to control their children’s interactions with artificial intelligence. Establish that people have a right to know when they are communicating with humans, AI systems, and chatbots. The bill would also say people have a right to know whether political ads were created in whole or in part through the use of artificial intelligence and would prohibit Florida government agencies from contracting with AI companies that have ties to so-called “foreign countries of concern” such as China or Russia. “If we don’t act, and Congress doesn’t act, these protections will not exist for Florida’s children and vulnerable adults,” the committee chairman said. said Tom Leake, an Ormond Beach Republican who is sponsoring the bill. While parts of the bill are a move in the right direction, Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, said the definition of artificial intelligence and chatbots needs some clarity. “There are already real dangers with AI,” Smith said. “There are AI systems that are performing blatantly sexually abusive acts against children, and our laws need to make clear that AI cannot be used to sexually or emotionally abuse children.” Leake said he expects parts of the bill to become “tougher” as it moves through Congress.Leak’s proposal must pass through the Appropriations Committee before being sent to the full Senate. Rep. Alex Rizzo (R-Hialeah) has introduced a similar bill (HB 1395) in the House. The Computer and Communications Industry Association, a national high-tech trade group, sent a letter to the Senate last week opposing the bill. Tom Mann, the group’s state policy manager, said in a news release that Leake’s bill “creates a separate state framework that increases compliance burdens without providing clear safety benefits.” “Fragmented state laws make it difficult for companies to roll out more features and services in certain states and risk undermining free expression online,” Mann said in a news release. The Computer Communications Industry Association and another trade group, NetChoice, are challenging two other Florida laws in federal court. It is challenging a 2021 law that would prohibit platforms from banning political candidates from their sites and require companies to publish and consistently apply standards on issues such as banning users and blocking content. They are also fighting a 2024 law aimed at banning children from accessing certain social media sites. They claim the law violates the First Amendment. Leake’s proposal drew support Wednesday from groups ranging from the Florida AFL-CIO to the Christian Families Coalition. Ryan Kennedy of the Florida Citizens Alliance said safeguards are needed because one-third of children choose AI companions for “serious interactions.” “Of course, in Florida and across the country, minors and some adults have entered into relationships with chatbots, and sadly, these relationships have resulted in deaths,” Kennedy told the committee. DeSantis continues to push for a state AI bill of rights after President Trump issued an executive order seeking to limit state-by-state regulation of the rapidly growing technology. President Trump’s Dec. 11 directive called on the U.S. Department of Justice to establish an “AI Litigation Council” to review “onerous” state laws that are inconsistent with the White House’s position, rather than preempting state laws. States that don’t align could lose eligibility for funding meant to expand high-speed internet or face lawsuits. Leake said the bill’s protections for minors and adults are “consistent with President Trump’s wishes.” DeSantis also wants legislation to protect Floridians from the costs associated with the large data centers needed for AI and other technologies. The Senate Regulated Industries Committee on Tuesday approved a bill (SB 484) addressing data center regulation. Download the free Gulf Coast News app to get breaking news and alerts for breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment and more on your phone or tablet. Also, check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.
TALLAHASSEE, FL —
The state’s proposed Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights began advancing in the Florida Senate on Wednesday amid opposition from tech industry groups and President Donald Trump’s push for nationwide regulation.
The issue is a priority for Gov. Ron DeSantis, and the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee unanimously supported the bill (SB 482). The bill includes establishing a “right” for parents to control their children’s interactions with artificial intelligence. Establish that people have a right to know when they are communicating with humans, AI systems, and chatbots. Set rules for unauthorized use of a person’s name, image, or likeness.
The bill would also say people have a right to know whether political ads were created in whole or in part through the use of artificial intelligence and would prohibit Florida government agencies from contracting with AI companies with ties to so-called “foreign countries of concern” such as China and Russia.
“If we don’t act, if Congress doesn’t act, these protections for Florida’s children and vulnerable adults will not exist,” said Chairman Tom Leake, an Ormond Beach Republican who sponsored the bill.
Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, said some of the bill is a move in the right direction, but that the definition of artificial intelligence and chatbots needs some clarity.
“The real dangers of AI already exist,” Smith said. “There are AI systems that engage in blatant sexual abuse against children, and the law needs to make clear that AI cannot be used to sexually or emotionally abuse children.”
Mr Leake said he expected some parts of the bill to be “tightened” as it passes through parliament.
Leake’s proposal must pass the Appropriations Committee before being sent to the full Senate. Rep. Alex Rizzo (R-Hialeah) has introduced a similar bill (HB 1395) in the House.
The Computer and Communications Industry Association, a national high-tech trade group, sent a letter to the Senate last week opposing the bill. Tom Mann, the group’s state policy manager, said in a news release that Leake’s bill “would create a separate state framework that would increase compliance burdens without providing clear safety benefits.”
“Fragmented state laws make it difficult for companies to introduce more features and services in specific states, risking the erosion of online freedom of expression,” Mann said in a news release.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association and another trade group, NetChoice, are challenging two other Florida laws in federal court.
They are challenging a 2021 law that includes prohibiting platforms from banning political candidates from their sites and requiring companies to publish and consistently apply standards on issues such as banning users and blocking content. They are also fighting a 2024 law aimed at banning children from accessing certain social media sites. They claim the law violates the First Amendment.
Leake’s proposal drew support Wednesday from groups ranging from the Florida AFL-CIO to the Christian Families Coalition.
Ryan Kennedy of the Florida Citizens Alliance said safeguards are needed because one-third of children choose AI companions for “serious interactions.”
“Of course, we’ve seen a number of relationships in Florida and across the country where minors and some adults have had relationships with chatbots, and sadly, there have been deaths as a result of these relationships,” Kennedy told the committee.
DeSantis continues to push for a national AI Bill of Rights after President Trump issued an executive order limiting state-by-state regulation of the burgeoning technology.
President Trump’s Dec. 11 directive called on the U.S. Department of Justice to create an “AI Litigation Council” to review “onerous” state laws that are inconsistent with the White House’s position, rather than preempting state laws. States that don’t align could lose eligibility for funding meant to expand high-speed internet or face lawsuits.
Leake said the bill’s protections for minors and adults are “consistent with President Trump’s wishes.”
DeSantis also called for legislation to protect Floridians from the costs associated with the large data centers needed for AI and other technologies. The Senate Regulated Industries Committee on Tuesday approved a bill (SB 484) addressing data center regulation.
Download the free Gulf Coast News app to get the latest news and alerts on your phone or tablet for breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment and more. Also, check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.
