By Trendsetter Tribune 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has opened a new front in his ongoing culture and policy battles — this time targeting Artificial Intelligence — warning that Americans should reject the technology “with every fiber of our being.”
Speaking earlier this month, DeSantis positioned himself as one of the nation’s strongest skeptics of AI, placing him at odds not only with the fast-growing tech industry, but also with former rival and ally Donald Trump, who has encouraged greater AI development and adoption.
DeSantis argued that AI poses economic and social risks, particularly around job displacement and the scale of automated decision-making.
He criticized what he called a “transhumanist strain” surrounding AI.
He said the idea that machines could replace or surpass humans must be firmly rejected because human beings — not computers — are endowed with rights and moral agency.
While the Biden administration has incorporated AI into federal systems and Trump has embraced AI innovation messaging, DeSantis warned that unrestricted growth could destabilize workers and communities.
Policy Proposals Take Shape in Florida
Florida lawmakers are now weighing a slate of recommendations ahead of the 2026 elections.
Among DeSantis’ proposals:
- Require companies to notify consumers when AI is being used.
- Prohibit therapists and mental-health providers from using AI in counseling.
- Restrict state subsidies for AI-driven data centers.
- Limit access to local water resources for facilities powering large AI systems.
DeSantis also expressed concern about the environmental and infrastructure footprint required to sustain the technology.
However, these proposals will still need legislative approval — and tech-sector pushback is expected.
Critics Say Slowing AI Could Hurt Innovation
Michael Strain, director of Economic Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, cautioned against aggressive restrictions, arguing that AI represents a global technological wave that states will struggle to halt.
Strain warned that attempts to micromanage AI may ultimately leave residents worse off, rather than protected.
What Comes Next
Florida is one of several states exploring AI guardrails while balancing jobs, innovation, privacy, and ethics. With DeSantis term-limited, the debate may shape both the state’s economic identity and broader national conversations over how far — and how fast — AI should advance.