DeSantis Pushes “AI Bill of Rights” as Florida Debates Tighter AI Rules

Beginner | February 17, 2026

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DeSantis AI regulation: A Governor Says “We Need Guardrails Now”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says the state needs strong AI rules now—not later. This DeSantis AI regulation push is his way of saying Florida shouldn’t wait while AI changes daily life. He told The Epoch Times that “guardrails” are needed to protect people, jobs, and the economy as AI grows fast. (Why DeSantis Believes AI Needs Tight Regulation Now — repost)

The Main Idea: An “AI Bill of Rights”

DeSantis is backing an AI Bill of Rights in the Florida Legislature. According to Florida’s governor’s office, the proposal includes:

A clear notice when you are interacting with AI (like company chatbots) (Florida Governor press release)
Stronger protections against deepfakes and explicit AI content, including content involving minors (Florida Governor press release)
Limits on using someone’s name, image, or likeness without permission (Florida Governor press release)
Parental controls to help parents monitor a child’s interactions with AI (Florida Governor press release)

In short, the pitch is simple: people should know when they’re talking to AI, and kids should be protected.

Political Ads, “Foreign Countries of Concern,” and Other Details

A Florida public radio report says the Senate version of the bill would also give people the right to know if political ads were made with AI. It would also stop Florida government agencies from contracting with AI firms tied to a “foreign country of concern,” such as China or Russia. (WUSF: DeSantis and Florida House differ on AI legislation)

The Second Fight: Big AI Data Centers

DeSantis is also pushing rules for huge data centers that power AI. Florida’s press release says the plan would stop utilities from charging regular residents more to support hyperscale data centers and would give local governments more control over whether these centers get built. (Florida Governor press release)

In the Epoch Times interview (reposted), the article points to energy and water concerns: data centers used 4.4% of U.S. electricity in 2023, and demand could rise to as much as 12% by 2028 (based on U.S. Department of Energy figures cited). It also says some large data centers can use up to five million gallons of water per day (citing the Environmental and Energy Study Institute). (Why DeSantis Believes AI Needs Tight Regulation Now — repost)

Supporters vs. Critics (A Very “Business” Problem)

Supporters say rules like these protect families and keep costs from being pushed onto everyday people. Critics—like a major tech trade group—warn that state-by-state rules can create higher compliance costs and could slow innovation. (WUSF: DeSantis and Florida House differ on AI legislation)

In business terms, this is a classic debate: move fast and innovate vs. put safety rules in place first. The DeSantis AI regulation debate shows how hard it is to balance speed, safety, and cost. Florida is trying to find a middle path.

Vocabulary

Regulation (noun) – an official rule made by a government.
Example: The state is debating new regulation for AI.
Guardrails (noun) – protections that prevent serious harm.
Example: DeSantis says AI needs guardrails now.
Proposal (noun) – a plan suggested for people to consider.
Example: The governor shared a proposal for an AI Bill of Rights.
Deepfake (noun) – fake video/audio made to look real using AI.
Example: Deepfakes can trick people into believing false stories.
Consent (noun) – permission.
Example: Using someone’s image without consent can cause problems.
Disclosure (noun) – sharing important information openly.
Example: The bill would require disclosure when you’re talking to AI.
Parental controls (noun) – tools that help parents manage what kids can access.
Example: Parental controls can limit a child’s AI use.
Contract (noun) – a legal agreement to work together.
Example: The state may restrict contracts with certain AI companies.
Compliance (noun) – following rules and requirements.
Example: Businesses worry about compliance costs.
Hyperscale (adjective) – extremely large (often used for massive data centers).
Example: Hyperscale data centers can use huge amounts of electricity.

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What does DeSantis mean by “guardrails” for AI?
What are two protections included in the proposed AI Bill of Rights?
Why does the bill talk about political ads and “foreign countries of concern”?
Why are data centers part of this AI debate?
Do you agree with Florida’s approach? Why or why not?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Should AI rules be set by states, or should there be one national rulebook?
What AI risks worry you most: scams, deepfakes, privacy, or jobs?
Should companies always tell you when you’re talking to AI?
How can governments protect kids online without controlling adults too much?
What would “smart” AI regulation look like to you?

Related Idiom

“Draw a line” – to set a clear limit.

Example: Florida wants to draw a line on deepfakes and AI tools that target kids.

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This article was inspired by: (Why DeSantis Believes AI Needs Tight Regulation Now — repost), (Florida Governor press release), and (WUSF: DeSantis and Florida House differ on AI legislation).