TALLAHASSEE, Florida — As the Trump administration prepares to unveil a new set of federal guidelines aimed at regulating artificial intelligence (AI), Florida Governor Ron DeSantis voiced strong opposition on Monday, questioning the federal government's authority to curtail state initiatives in AI governance.

Governor DeSantis, known for his critical stance on unregulated AI technologies, is advocating for comprehensive AI protections for Floridians in the upcoming legislative session. His push has garnered significant support from state lawmakers, who are actively engaging in multiple hearings on the matter this week.

The looming federal AI "rulebook," as described by President Trump, seeks to establish a uniform regulatory framework across the United States. However, DeSantis argues that such sweeping federal mandates should be the purview of Congress, not solely the Executive Branch. "An executive order doesn’t/can’t preempt state legislative action," DeSantis declared in a social media post, emphasizing the role of Congress in potentially overriding state legislation.

DeSantis's concerns are amplified by what he perceives as a lack of coherent strategy from Congress, which he claims has failed to propose any substantial regulatory framework and instead favored a decade-long prohibition on state-level AI legislation—an approach he labeled as "AI amnesty."

Despite occasional tensions, Governor DeSantis has largely refrained from directly criticizing President Trump. However, he has expressed reservations about Congress's approach to imposing a lengthy moratorium on local AI laws, a stance that could significantly hinder state efforts to manage AI-related issues.

Florida legislators have been proactive in introducing bills aimed at regulating AI applications, including measures that would require insurance claim denials to be issued by qualified human personnel. DeSantis himself advocates for an AI "bill of rights," which would include protections against price hikes by utility companies in response to tech firms erecting large data centers.

As the state awaits the specifics of President Trump's executive order, which is expected to be announced this week, Florida's legislative leaders adopt a cautious "wait-and-see" attitude. State Senate President Ben Albritton expressed the uncertainty shared by many: "I haven't read the executive order, so I don't know... not until I see what it is specifically that the president comes out with and where that relates to what our authorities are."

The tension between state and federal visions for AI regulation underscores a broader debate about the balance of power in the United States, particularly in areas as dynamic and impactful as artificial intelligence. As federal and state governments navigate these complex waters, the outcomes could set significant precedents for how emerging technologies are governed across the nation.