DeSantis' artificial intelligence regulations stall in House

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(The Center Square) - Artificial intelligence regulations backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis sailed through the Florida Senate and stalled in the House, where leaders align with President Donald Trump’s stance that the federal government should take charge. 

The Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights cleared the Senate in a 35 to 2 vote. DeSantis doesn’t appear confident about its fate, writing on X that House leadership is “blocking” it.

The measure includes consumer protections like prohibiting a companion chatbot from allowing minors to become account holders without parental consent and barring artificial intelligence technology companies from selling or disclosing users’ personal information.

It would provide protections against unauthorized publications of an individual’s personal information or likeness without express written or oral consent. The bill also creates a statewide framework for the use of artificial intelligence as instructional tools in educational settings.

“Technology ought to enhance our lives - not control our lives, nor supplant the human experience. The AI Bill of Rights defends consumers, medical patients, and families in Florida from the potential harms of artificial intelligence applications. It is especially important that we protect the most vulnerable among us: our children,” DeSantis said.

The Department of Legal Affairs said it expected an increase in workload if the bill becomes law and requested $987,062 for four additional attorneys and two additional financial investigators, according to the bill’s fiscal impact statement.

But House Speaker Daniel Perez doesn’t plan to bring the bill to the House floor and says AI should be regulated at the federal level, according to media reports.

Trump has been outspoken about avoiding state laws that “harm innovation” and create a “patchwork of rules” from state to state.

“We must have one Federal Standard instead of a patchwork of 50 State Regulatory Regimes. If we don’t, then China will easily catch us in the AI race,” the president posted on Truth Social.