As AI takes off, Florida rolls out specific and significant boundaries

• Florida lawmakers are considering new regulations for artificial intelligence, sparking debate between tech companies and consumer advocates.
• One proposed bill, SB 482, aims to create an "AI Bill of Rights" focused on protecting children and vulnerable adults online.
• Business groups have urged caution to avoid stifling innovation, while consumer groups are pushing for stronger enforcement and disclosure requirements.
• Another bill, SB 484, addresses the infrastructure for AI, ensuring large data centers do not strain public utilities or water supplies.

Florida lawmakers took the first steps to put regulations on artificial intelligence this week, kicking off a battle between tech companies spearheading the new technology and those who fear the downsides of the AI revolution will wreak havoc on consumers and the workforce.

“AI, while holding a great deal of promise, also poses novel and unique threats. Generative AI in particular can be particularly insidious in some contexts when used by children or unsuspecting or vulnerable adults,” said Sen. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, sponsor of SB 482, the “AI Bill of Rights” measure.

The bill requires AI platforms with chatbots to give parents access to the accounts of their children, to delete the accounts upon a parent’s request, bars the dissemination of personal information and gives the Attorney General’s office the power to sue to enforce the law.

Florida business groups caution not to overregulate AI

It passed unanimously through the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee on Jan. 21, but there was a clear difference between business groups who urged caution in overregulating AI and consumer groups who wanted the bill to give more teeth to the enforcement measures if AI platforms violate the law.

Amy Keith, executive director of Common Cause of Florida, urged the panel to add regular audits and disclosure requirements for AI platforms to ensure compliance so consumers aren’t victimized.

“Floridians deserve to know when AI decides when they’re getting a job, when AI decides whether or not they’re getting a loan, when AI decides whether or not they’re getting an apartment to live in the middle of our housing crisis,” Keith said.

But Adam Basford, vice president of governmental affairs for Associated Industries of Florida, a large business lobby, noted many major sectors are using AI — transportation, energy, agriculture, retail and health care.

“Obviously there guidelines, boundaries that need to be set and put into place but also we don’t need to stifle the potential innovation that it holds for the business community to help consumers to help businesses and help Florida move forward,” said Basford, who added AIF isn’t opposed to the bill but wants to see changes as it advances.

Leek said he’s open to amendments but won’t weaken protections for parents or children in the bill. He added that he doesn’t think the bill conflicts with the executive order from President Donald Trump that attempts to nullify all state-level AI laws, and doesn’t think Congress will act to impose federal regulations any time soon.

“If we don’t act and Congress doesn’t act those protections wont exist for Florida’s children,” Leek said.

Governor wants to make sure AI data centers won't be a burden to residents

The bill is largely in line with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposal to impose regulations on AI companies. Another bill, SB 484, addresses the second part of DeSantis’ plan, to ensure new large-scale data centers providing the power needed to operate AI systems won’t cost residents or threaten water supply.

That bill cleared the Senate Regulated Industries Committee unanimously on Jan. 20. It require utility regulators to ensure large-scale data centers pay for their own cost of service without burdening other consumers, bars agencies and local governments from entering into non-disclosure agreements with companies looking to build data centers and gives the Department of Environmental Protection the authority to require large-scale data centers to use reclaimed water as part of the permitting approval process.

Bill sponsor Sen. Bryan Avila, R-Miami Springs, described it as “a balance between making sure we are still leading the way on tech but also laying a foundation and protecting our consumers and particularly making sure that our local governments in rural areas have a voice and a seat at the table.”

Gray Rohrer is the Policy and Politics Reporter for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY athttps://tallahassee.com/newsletters.