Collins announces AI data center policy proposal

Republican gubernatorial candidate Jay Collins unveiled a new policy proposal, dubbed the "Florida Strong Plan," specifically targeting artificial intelligence data centers and their oversight within the state. The announcement was made in Polk County, Florida. Collins stated that the plan is designed to prioritize Floridians amidst the expansion of AI infrastructure. Key components include requiring data center operators to cover infrastructure costs, preserving the authority of local governments, and implementing more stringent transparency standards. He emphasized the importance of maintaining energy independence and affordable electricity for working families, stating, "We cannot sacrifice energy independence or affordable electricity for working families." The five-part proposal also mandates that AI data center projects incur no cost transfer to Floridians and receive no subsidies. It calls for stricter reviews concerning water use and environmental impacts, alongside safety filters for AI systems to prevent content related to suicide, self-harm, or homicide. Furthermore, the plan includes provisions for annual audits of AI training data and mandatory human oversight for high-stakes AI decisions.