Florida Mandates AI Policies for Colleges, K-12 Districts

The Florida Department of Education is moving to require comprehensive artificial intelligence policies across the state's public education system, from elementary schools through college campuses.

Education Commissioner Henry Mack approved a proposed rule Monday that would mandate all 28 institutions in the Florida College System to establish formal AI policies. The State Board of Education will vote on the measure September 16 at Polk State College in Winter Haven.

College requirements

Under the proposed rule, colleges must outline AI policies for students, staff, and campus visitors that address academic integrity and dishonesty, course assignments, and grading procedures. The rule aims to "ensure quality of education for students, efficiency of operations, and a safe learning environment for the whole college community," according to the department's language.

The rule defines AI instructional tools as software applications or services using artificial intelligence, but specifically excludes AI designed to "meet a student's social needs" or employing features meant to encourage continued interaction through simulated relationships.

K-12 restrictions

The department is also directing all K-12 school districts to incorporate AI rules into their internet safety guidelines. Districts must notify parents when AI instructional tools receive approval for classroom use, and parents retain the right to opt their children out.

AI tools proposed for grades PreK through fifth require additional review before approval. The rules explicitly prohibit using AI to address students' social or emotional needs, simulate emotional relationships, or employ relationship-building design features that encourage student interaction.

Why it matters

Florida's education AI rules arrive as the state pursues aggressive legal action against AI companies and after legislative efforts to regulate AI interactions with minors stalled in the state House. The education mandates represent an administrative path to establishing guardrails that failed to advance through the legislative process, giving state officials direct control over AI deployment in schools while broader regulatory questions remain unresolved.

Broader AI regulatory efforts

The education rules follow a failed legislative attempt earlier this year to pass an AI Bill of Rights that would have restricted how technology companies interact with minors. The measure was a top priority for Governor Ron DeSantis, who called a special session after it died in the regular session. House Speaker Daniel Perez blocked the bill, arguing AI regulation belongs at the federal level.

That proposed legislation would have established parental control over children's AI chatbot interactions, prohibited state contracts with AI firms tied to foreign adversaries, and set rules for unauthorized use of personal likenesses.

Separately, Florida is suing OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, with Attorney General James Uthmeier claiming ChatGPT aided violent acts including murders, mass shootings, and suicides. The lawsuit cites an April 17, 2025 shooting at Florida State University that killed two people and wounded five, where law enforcement says the alleged shooter consulted ChatGPT about weapons, ammunition, and campus attack planning.

CBS News Miami first reported the proposed education rules.