Florida Legislature Considers Creating 'Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council'

Florida Senator Joe Gruters (R) has filed a bill that would create an ‘Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council’ within Florida’s state government. 

The AI council would be lodged in the  Department of Management Services and surveil the development and use of AI systems across Florida. 

Some of the council’s responsibilities would include recommending administrative and legislative actions to promote the development of AI in Florida. Additionally, the council would identify potential benefits, liabilities, and risks that the state, private residents, and businesses could incur from AI development. 

Policy solutions for protecting the privacy and interests of Florida residents from any negative effects caused by AI can also be proposed by the council. 

Unfair discrimination caused or compounded by AI will also be monitored. 

The council would be composed of two Senators, two House Representatives, two scholars with expertise in ethics and AI, an expert on AI law enforcement, a policy expert, and a constitutional law expert. The former 4 council members would be appointed by their respective chamber’s leader while the latter 5 would be appointed by the governor. 

Quarterly reports with the council’s findings would be submitted to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

If formed, the council will begin meeting prior to November 1, 2024.

AI has been the focus of political discussion and debate since the unveiling of generative AI.

Generative AI is software that can generate images, video, audio, text, and other digital content upon being queried to do so by a user. 

Earlier this week, Florida lawmakers proposed regulations that could impact how artificial intelligence is used for political advertisements. 

The measures would require any content produced with the assistance of generative AI to include a disclaimer notating the same. 

Last month, Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, announced similar measures. Political ads running on Meta platforms will be required to disclose if they were created using artificial intelligence.