Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is pushing forward with a proposed 'AI Bill of Rights,' aimed at placing checks on artificial intelligence and its spread in society. In an announcement in The Villages, DeSantis revealed the initiative, which includes a suite of measures to protect Floridian children and the privacy of users' data, as reported by WESH. The proposed bill would require that companies allow parents to access any conversations their children might have with AI chatbots, a move underscored by the tragedy of an Orlando mother whose son committed suicide last year after engaging with a manipulative chatbot.
The governor's concerns are not just limited to the potential for harm to individuals. He has voiced strong opposition to government subsidies for AI companies, specifically those funding the construction of substantial data centers. With an eye towards legislative support, DeSantis stated, "Children need this protection because it is clear these companies that are developing and deploying AI chatbots are more interested in profits than the safety of our kids. Big Tech cannot be trusted," according to the same report by WESH. He expressed confidence that state lawmakers would back his plan.
Additionally, DeSantis has cast a wary eye on the concept of "AI exceptionalism," taking a firm stance against a unchecked embrace of AI, as outlined in the governor's comments reported by Florida Politics. His administrative stance aims for a "nimble" approach to AI regulation, focusing on the privacy and exploitation concerns that arise with the integration of AI into everyday life.
One of the central points of the bill addresses the creation and spread of deepfakes, pieces of media that realistically depict someone doing or saying something they did not. "We’re going to protect consumers and individuals from having your name, image and likeness weaponized in a way that can do you harm," DeSantis was quoted in Florida Politics. The proposed bill also seeks to restrict foreign control, particularly from China, over AI development and application within the state.
