DeSantis’ Florida AI push sets up potential battle with Trump

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to limit the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by some industries and make sure AI data centers are not getting public subsidies and preferential treatment and rates from utilities.

DeSantis unveiled state AI policy proposals on Friday. Some of its components will require approvals by the Florida Legislature.

The plan includes limiting AI use by insurance companies as well as licensed mental and behavioral providers and restricting new data centers from landing on Florida farmland and getting public subsidies.

"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 (NIL) without consent," DeSantis said Friday.

The Republican governor's plan looks to bar insurance companies from using AI as the "sole determination of claims" and limit their use by counselors and therapists.

DeSantis' plans come amid concerns about AI automation resulting in significant jobs and data centers to powering AI straining power grids.

A new report by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory says AI can already replace 11.7% of American workers.

The state push could set up a conflict with President Donald Trump who wants only national policies on AI and not a variety of state approaches.

In a social media post Monday, Trump said he will sign an executive order that looks to set a national AI policy and restricts state approaches.

"There must be only One Rulebook if we are going to continue to lead in AI. 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. THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT ABOUT THIS! AI WILL BE DESTROYED IN ITS INFANCY! I will be doing a ONE RULE Executive Order this week," Trump said in a Truth Social post Monday. "You can't expect a company to get 50 Approvals every time they want to do something. THAT WILL NEVER WORK!"

Other states — both conservative and liberal — are also looking at AI policies as the waves of machine learning, automation and robotics show up across industries and applications.

Trump's federal only AI approach is backed by big technology companies and interests.

They favor less regulation.

Some major players in the AI and technology spaces — including NVDIA, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta Platforms (which owns Facebook and Instagram), ChatGPT and Oracle — have been supportive of Trump since his return to power in January.

That includes visits to the White House and Trump's estate in Palm Beach and donations to Trumps inauguration and construction of new large White House ballroom.

On Monday, DeSantis said in his own social media post that he did not believe a Trump AI order would stop his efforts in Florida.

"An executive order doesn't/can't preempt state legislative action. Congress could, theoretically, preempt states through legislation," DeSantis said in a post on X.

"The problem is that Congress hasn't proposed any coherent regulatory scheme but instead just wanted to block states from doing anything for 10 years, which would be an AI amnesty," the governor continued.

DeSantis' plan also looks to give localities the leeway to oppose data center developments, eyes curtailments on public subsidies for data centers and wants to make sure utilities are not raising rates on Florida households and businesses in order to meet utility grid needs propelled by artificial intelligence.

Last month, Trump launched the Genesis Mission, an effort that allows AI platforms to access U.S. government super computers, research labs and national security sites.