'Not on my watch': Paul Renner pushes for guardrails against AI, including moratorium on data centers

Paul Renner, a Republican candidate for Governor in Florida and former House Speaker, is advocating for a statewide moratorium on data center development, citing concerns over potential strain on the power grid, increased electrical costs, and depletion of water resources from the state's aquifer. Renner stated that "the answer is a simple, 'Not on my watch'" regarding data center expansion, contrasting his "Florida First" stance with competitor Byron Donalds' perceived openness to the AI sector. Renner also expressed strong reservations about the broader implications of artificial intelligence, calling for stringent "opt-in" requirements for AI instructional technology and prohibiting data mining without parental consent in schools, aligning with and seeking to expand upon positions held by Gov. Ron DeSantis on AI regulation.