Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis used his final State of the State address to underscore the risks of artificial intelligence and spotlight a suite of state-level policy proposals, including a proposed AI “Bill of Rights,” heightened transparency requirements, and protections against perceived technological harms, particularly to children and consumers, all while defending state authority to regulate AI against federal preemption efforts and urging the Legislature to act during the 2026 session.
Sources:
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/773519-we-have-set-the-standard-in-final-state-of-the-state-gov-desantis-says-his-tenure-delivered-for-floridians/
https://www.wusf.org/politics-issues/2025-12-04/gov-ron-desantis-proposes-florida-ai-bill-of-rights
https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/desantis-spotlights-ai-threats-in-florida-state-of-state-address-5970261
Key Takeaways
• DeSantis prominently flagged artificial intelligence as a serious threat to Florida families and communities in his final legislative address, tying it to consumer safety and state sovereignty over technology policy.
• His administration is pushing an AI Bill of Rights and other legislative proposals aimed at transparency, parental control, and protections against misuse of AI, particularly involving minors and data-driven harms.
• The governor is positioning Florida to lead on AI regulation at the state level, pushing back against federal preemption efforts and urging proactive safeguards to protect economic and social interests.
In-Depth
In his final State of the State address, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took a firm stance on artificial intelligence, articulating concerns that resonate with conservative constituencies wary of unchecked technological expansion. DeSantis emphasized not just the benefits of innovation but the very real risks that AI poses if left without clear guardrails. He urged the Florida Legislature to move swiftly on a comprehensive AI Bill of Rights, foregrounding issues like child safety, consumer notifications, and state-specific controls over AI infrastructure. This approach reflects a broader conservative strategy that prioritizes local authority and skepticism of centralized solutions, particularly those that could dilute state autonomy over regulatory matters.
The AI Bill of Rights proposed by the governor includes measures requiring disclosure when users interact with AI systems, prohibiting the use of a person’s name or likeness without consent, and strengthening protections against deepfakes and other abuses. Parental controls are central to this effort, allowing families greater oversight of AI interactions involving minors. These provisions aim to safeguard Floridians while still permitting responsible technological development, a balancing act that resonates with conservative themes of family protection and individual empowerment.
But DeSantis’s push goes beyond personal data and child safety. He also expressed concern about the impact of large AI data centers on local economies and utilities. By raising these economic and infrastructure considerations, DeSantis broadened the conversation to include not just abstract technological risks but the tangible effects on everyday Floridians. This aligns with a pragmatic conservative view that government must ensure that innovation serves the public interest rather than external corporate priorities.
Importantly, DeSantis stressed that Florida would not cede regulatory authority to the federal government. As national debates continue over AI governance and federal preemption, the governor’s insistence on state prerogatives speaks to an ongoing conservative emphasis on federalism and local control. Florida’s legislative session, now underway, will be the testing ground for these proposals, and their outcomes could influence how other states approach AI policy in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.