DeSantis Proposes Florida “AI Bill of Rights” to Protect Residents From Misuse of Artificial Intelligence

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis is proposing the creation of a statewide AI Bill of Rights, aiming to put guardrails around how artificial intelligence can be used in Florida as the rapidly growing technology becomes more entwined with everyday life.

DeSantis announced the proposal this week, calling it a proactive step to protect Floridians from being misrepresented, misled, or financially harmed by AI systems. The plan includes several key protections, starting with restrictions on the use of a person’s name, image, or likeness without their consent—a safeguard meant to stop deepfakes or AI-generated content that falsely portrays someone.

The governor said the measure would also prevent insurance companies from relying solely on AI to process or deny claims, requiring a human to review those decisions. He framed the proposal as a consumer-protection effort, warning that AI-driven decision-making could put residents at a disadvantage if left unchecked.

Another part of the plan focuses on the physical footprint of AI itself. DeSantis says the state must protect taxpayers from bearing the cost of hyperscale AI data centers, massive facilities that require significant power and infrastructure.

Supporters say the bill could provide much-needed clarity as new AI tools become mainstream. But it also comes amid growing concern from families and legal advocates about AI’s real-world impact. In one ongoing case, an Orlando mother is suing Character.AI after her 14-year-old son died by suicide months after interacting with a chatbot. The family argues AI companies must be held responsible for how their systems interact with vulnerable users.

DeSantis says Florida’s AI Bill of Rights is intended to get ahead of potential harms before they become widespread.

The proposal is expected to be taken up by lawmakers during the upcoming legislative session.