DeSantis Hosts AI Panel: A Call for Caution Against the “Race to Replace” Humans
On February 4, 2026, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis convened a panel discussion at the New College of Florida to address the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on society. He warned against what he termed a “race to replace” humans with AI technologies and advocated for state-level regulation of AI companies.
The Human Cost of AI
DeSantis expressed concern that some AI proponents “almost relish” the prospect of AI displacing human roles in society. He highlighted a tragic incident involving Megan Garcia, whose son, Sewell, tragically took his life after interacting with an AI chatbot. In his final conversation, the bot responded to Sewell’s expressions of affection with alarming encouragement, showcasing the potential dangers of unregulated AI interactions.
Panel Insights
The panel featured notable figures including MIT professor Max Tegmark and former Virginia Secretary of Health Janet Kelly. Tegmark argued for AI companies to adhere to the same safety standards as other industries. He drew a comparison to food safety regulations, emphasizing that while a sandwich shop faces stringent inspections, AI products often lack similar oversight.
Kelly, representing Megan Garcia, pointed out that tech companies currently enjoy immunity from basic safety protections that apply to children’s products, highlighting the need for regulatory frameworks that prioritize child safety.
Concerns Over Data Centers
DeSantis raised alarms regarding hyperscale data centers and their increasing energy consumption, implying the need for oversight of the broader environmental and societal impacts of widespread AI deployment.
