The Governor Ron DeSantis-backed AI Bill of Rights proposal passed its first Senate Committee Wednesday. The package is getting support across political parties and interest groups.
The bill of rights would require disclosure to consumers using AI systems, require AI companies to de-identify user data before selling it, prohibit unauthorized name, image and likeness use, and require parental consent before minors can use companion chatbots.
St. Augustine Republican Senator Tom Leek thinks sweeping AI regulation should be done at the national level, but these protections need to come immediately.
“That relies on Congress to act, which I don't have a great deal of faith in right now, at least, not to act quickly. And I think the protections that we've got here for minors and for vulnerable adults and for all of us really are in line with what President Trump wants,” he said.
Business groups, labor groups and parent advocacy groups all spoke in favor of the general direction of the bill. But Rich Templin with the AFL-CIO says provisions should be added to protect workers.
“We see it as the next industrial revolution, and we want to make sure that there is a regulatory framework in place to take care of the workers. This is a great consumer protection beginning. But what about workers?” he said.
Last month, President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at limiting state regulation of artificial intelligence. But there have been questions about to what extent the federal government can block state-level regulation.
A Gallup poll last year found 80% of U.S. adults believe government should maintain rules for AI safety and data security, even if it means the tech develops more slowly. For WFSU News,