Florida’s political landscape will change on Nov. 5, when nearly 14 million voters will have the chance to cast their votes for 120 state House of Representatives and 20 state Senate seats.
The winner of that race will convene in Tallahassee on March 4 to begin the 2025 legislative session. Technology and innovation are poised to dominate the agenda as these newly elected officials take their seats in state capitals during the 60-day session.
As Florida continues to establish itself as a center of technological advancement and innovation, decisions made in the legislature, committee rooms, and voting booths will have far-reaching implications for the state’s future, leading to job creation and economic growth. It’s likely to impact everything from education to the quality of life for Florida residents.
Perhaps the most salient issue facing lawmakers in 2025 is artificial intelligence (AI), specifically how AI technologies will become more widely used and impact every aspect of daily life. The question is how should it be regulated?
Last Congress, Congress held off on passing extreme AI legislation, enacted legislation that would require watermarking on political ads that use AI, and specifically combat the distribution of sexual deepfakes involving minors. , advance the use of AI in education, and create a Government Modernization Council to explore how state governments can embrace emerging technologies.
But those elected in November will face pressure to do more.
More stringent regulations regarding AI, similar to regulations recently passed in Colorado and vetoed in California, due to misguided concerns that AI displaces workers or discriminates against marginalized communities. There have been calls for more effective reporting and transparency regulations to be introduced. Such a move could have a significant impact on Florida’s reputation as a state that embraces innovation and entrepreneurship and its status as a bastion of limited government.
As Florida’s 2025 legislative session approaches, lawmakers face the critical challenge of addressing a quiet engine of the digital age: the proliferation of data centers. These facilities are essential for everything from artificial intelligence to cloud computing and deliver significant economic benefits through job creation and tax revenue.
But their rapid expansion has raised concerns about the strain on local power grids, leading some municipalities across the country to consider special taxes and zoning restrictions.
Unfortunately, these local attacks on data centers compromise the critical computing infrastructure needed by consumers and businesses. To address this, lawmakers could pre-empt local regulations on data centers, with the added benefit of creating universal rules across the state.
Finally, lawmakers will be forced to address the important topic of cybersecurity, especially in the wake of the data breach that leaked the names of “4,000 people living with HIV” to the press. Unfortunately, the Florida Department of Health breach is just one of countless examples of how cybercriminals have targeted the Sunshine State’s government, shutting down city services in North Miami Beach for several days in August. A cyber incident occurred. Congress’ priorities are to strengthen state and local cyber protections so that government agencies can protect themselves, continue operations, and protect all Floridians when nefarious attackers target these critical organizations. It is about ensuring that the data held by the citizens of the state is secure.
As the election and 2025 legislative session approach, newly elected representatives and senators face a pivotal moment in shaping the state’s technology future. The challenges are multifaceted and complex. Balancing AI regulation and innovation, managing data center growth, and strengthening cybersecurity in the face of growing threats, to name just a few. These issues require thoughtful, forward-thinking legislation that preserves Florida’s reputation as a center of technological advancement and limited government.
The decisions made in Tallahassee will impact Florida’s economic growth and job market and set a precedent for how states navigate the complexities of emerging technology.
As such, this upcoming session represents a critical juncture in Florida’s path to becoming a leader in the digital age, with far-reaching implications for the state’s future and the quality of life for all Floridians.
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Dr. Edward Long is director of the Center for Innovation at the James Madison Institute.
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