Florida lawmakers wouldn't pass statewide AI rules for schools this year. The State Board of Education is doing it anyway, and Miami Dade College didn't wait for either one.
Florida's State Board of Education meets Wednesday at Polk State College to adopt new AI restrictions for schools and colleges statewide.
Rules That Go Further Than the Legislature Would
The proposals go beyond what state lawmakers accepted during this year's session. They align instead with the direction Gov. Ron DeSantis has pushed on the technology sector.
DeSantis said this week that opposing AI regulations would be a "losing position" for Republicans. That puts him at odds with President Donald Trump, who has criticized AI leaders for wanting to slow their own competition.
What Colleges Would Actually Have to Do
The board's rule would require state colleges to address privacy and intellectual property law. It would also notify parents when minors use AI in their courses and establish academic integrity rules.
That includes prohibiting students from using AI on graded assignments or assessments without explicit instructor permission.
The measure connects to a related move already underway. The Board of Governors recently gave initial approval to a plan requiring all state universities adopt their own AI usage policies.
Where the Pushback Is Coming From
Some Floridians have asked the board to revise its proposed AI definition for K-12 schools. They argue it's broad enough to limit educators' ability to use tools that help students with disabilities.
Others have raised concerns about a recommended opt-in requirement in district policies, rather than a simpler opt-out option for parents. State officials haven't significantly altered the rule in response to either concern so far.
Miami Dade College Already Moved
Miami Dade College is one of the 28 Florida College System institutions this rule would affect directly. The college didn't wait for Wednesday's vote to build its own approach.
Under President Madeline Pumariega, MDC has developed stackable AI credentials and faculty development around AI adoption. It also built a specific method for teaching students to properly cite AI-generated work rather than simply banning the technology outright.
What This Means for Florida's Classrooms
For most of Florida's 28 state colleges, Wednesday's vote sets a compliance deadline they haven't yet started working toward. For Miami Dade College, it looks more like a formal endorsement of a strategy already in motion.
The rule doesn't resolve every disagreement over how AI belongs in a classroom. It does mean every Florida college now has a firm deadline to decide for itself.