Florida Gov. DeSantis takes a more measured approach to AI development
Amid the hardcore push for the expansion of artificial intelligence technology, Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has taken what appears to be a more measured approach.
by Summer Lane | October 2, 2026
Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida has taken an even-keeled approach to the expansion of futuristic tech, positioning himself as a voice of reason as the federal government seeks to push the limits on artificial intelligence (AI)
Notably this week, President Donald Trump took executive action to rename AI to something completely different: Super Intelligence, or “SI.”
“[Artificial] is a very inaccurate word,” he told reporters this week. “It’s super intelligence. In fact, it’s in some ways too super. But it’s REAL intelligence.”
The administration’s push to roll out AI and its bid to kick-start construction on AI data centers nationwide, has been met with concerns with some who fear that the power of this technology could be detrimental to society.
“Superintelligence factories = surveillance centers[,]” Gov. DeSantis said on X, responding to NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang’s reported comment that AI data centers would be called “superintelligence factories.”
DeSantis added in a second comment, “Could also serve as the arteries for central bank digital currency and resulting social credit system. Nothing wrong with taking a measured, realistic view that recognizes both the possible upsides and potential downsides.”
On that note, the Florida governor added that central bank digital currency (CBDC) is banned in Florida. “We should never have CBDC,” he said. “We banned it in Florida.”
While most Americans are likely on board with DeSantis’s comments, it seems likely that the age of “SI” or AI will indeed usher in a major shift in the economic landscape.
This week, SpaceX and xAI CEO Elon Musk, standing beside President Trump just outside the White House, suggested that AI development would lead to mass “universal high income.” President Trump nodded and commented, “That’s good.”
Universal high income would not necessarily require a CBDC, but it would certainly streamline the process. Therefore, it seems likely that with the rollout of “Super Intelligence” and the concept of “Universal High Income” on the horizon, Gov. DeSantis’s words may indeed prove to be prophetic.
Photo: Adobe Stock
