Ron DeSantis destroyed tech overlords with one announcement that left Silicon Valley reeling

Big Tech has been trying to control every aspect of American life.

They want to use artificial intelligence to replace human workers and decision-makers.

But Ron DeSantis destroyed tech overlords with one announcement that left Silicon Valley reeling.

DeSantis takes on the AI threat

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis isn’t afraid to take on the powerful tech companies that think they can run America from their Silicon Valley boardrooms.

While other politicians either ignore the growing threat of artificial intelligence or roll over for Big Tech, DeSantis is charting a different course.

And what he announced will have tech billionaires scrambling to protect their plans for AI domination.

DeSantis made it clear during a recent appearance in Jacksonville that Florida won’t be a pushover when it comes to artificial intelligence policy.

“We can’t put our head in the sand and just say we’re not going to deal with AI at all because it is becoming a fact of life,” DeSantis stated. “But we can’t just turn the reins over to a bunch of tech overlords. That doesn’t work.”¹

DeSantis warned that AI poses serious threats to Florida families.

“It’s one thing to use technology to enhance the human experience, but it’s another thing to have technology supplant the human experience,” DeSantis said during an appearance in Jacksonville.²

Florida charts its own course on AI

DeSantis announced that Florida will develop its own comprehensive plan to deal with artificial intelligence rather than waiting for Washington, D.C. bureaucrats or tech companies to make decisions for Floridians.

This comes after the Governor vetoed a bill on June 30 that would’ve created a toothless study on AI’s impact on workers.

The bill (HB 827) passed the Legislature with only one dissenting vote, but DeSantis saw right through the political theater.

“Recognizing that AI trends are ever-evolving in delivery, skill development and in-demand career tracks, it makes no sense to wait for the report to be published by the state’s labor statistics bureau,” DeSantis wrote in his veto letter.³

The legislation would have tasked a state commerce department division with examining workplace impacts from artificial intelligence.

“Recognizing that AI trends are ever-evolving in delivery, skill development and in-demand career tracks, it makes no sense to wait for the report to be published by the state’s labor statistics bureau,” DeSantis wrote in his veto letter. “Indeed, such a report — to the extent it has value — would likely be obsolete by the time it was actually published.”³

While Democrats whined about the veto, DeSantis was thinking three steps ahead.

Representative Leonard Spencer, a Democrat from Gotha who wrote the legislation, complained about DeSantis’s decision.

“It was a proactive, data-driven approach — designed not to regulate innovation, but to better understand how it is reshaping our economy, labor markets and communities,” Spencer said.⁴

Big Tech lobby pushes back against state control

The tech industry lobby wants Washington, D.C. to control AI policy instead of letting states decide for themselves.

DeSantis previously opposed a federal proposal that would have stripped states of their authority to regulate artificial intelligence.

Congress ultimately killed that proposal, but the tech lobby won’t give up.

ALFA Institute, a tech accelerator run by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, complained about states having different AI policies.

The organization complained about “a fragmented, 50-state patchwork that undermines any semblance of a national strategy.”⁵

But that’s exactly what the Founding Fathers intended – states having the power to govern themselves rather than being controlled by distant bureaucrats or corporate interests.

DeSantis understands that Floridians should have a say in how AI affects their jobs, their privacy, and their communities.

DeSantis puts Florida first

The Governor’s approach shows he’s not intimidated by the tech giants who think they know what’s best for everyone else.

While other politicians either cave to Big Tech pressure or ignore the AI issue entirely, DeSantis is taking a common-sense approach.

He recognizes that AI technology isn’t going away, but he also won’t let unelected tech billionaires make decisions for Florida families.

“We can’t put our head in the sand and just say we’re not going to deal with AI at all, because it is becoming a fact of life,” DeSantis said. “But, you know, we can’t just turn the reins over to a bunch of tech overlords. That doesn’t work. That ultimately isn’t going to be what’s best.”⁶

The Governor didn’t provide a timeline for when Florida’s AI plan will be complete, but the mere fact that he’s taking action has already sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley.

Tech companies have grown accustomed to doing whatever they want without interference from elected officials.

They’ve used their money and influence to buy off politicians and regulators in Washington, D.C.

But Ron DeSantis has shown time and again that he can’t be bought.

The stakes couldn’t be higher

Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform American society in ways we’re only beginning to understand.

It could eliminate millions of jobs, spy on citizens, and concentrate even more power in the hands of a few tech moguls.

Or it could be developed in a way that enhances human capabilities while preserving individual freedom and dignity.

The difference will depend on whether elected officials like DeSantis step up to protect their constituents or whether they let Big Tech call the shots.

DeSantis has made his choice clear.

He’s standing up for Florida workers and families against the tech overlords who think they should control America’s future.

And that’s exactly the kind of leadership the country needs as we navigate the challenges and opportunities of the AI revolution.

¹ The News Service of Florida, “Gov. DeSantis to develop plan to prevent ‘tech overlords’ from taking over,” July 11, 2025.

² Ibid.

³ Ibid.

⁴ Ibid.

⁵ Ibid.

⁶ Ibid.