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SB1458 • 2026

Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education

Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education

Education Privacy Technology
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Davis
Last action
2026-03-13
Official status
Senate - Died in Education Postsecondary
Effective date
2026-07-01

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education Study Group

This bill creates a study group to review and make recommendations on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Florida's higher education system.

What This Bill Does

  • Creates an Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education Study Group to examine AI opportunities, risks, and best practices.
  • Sets up membership including faculty members, state board representatives, AI experts, regional education board reps, and student leaders.
  • Requires the group to examine how AI affects academic integrity, privacy, intellectual property, data security, and professional development needs.
  • Asks the study group to review national and international best practices for AI governance in higher education.
  • Directs the group to submit a report with findings and recommendations by December 1, 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Florida's higher education system including universities and colleges.
  • Faculty members, students, and staff involved in academic instruction, research, and student conduct.
  • State government officials responsible for overseeing Florida’s educational institutions.

Terms To Know

Artificial Intelligence
Computer systems that can perform tasks requiring human intelligence such as learning, problem-solving, decision-making, and understanding language.
Study Group
A group of people brought together to study a specific topic or issue in depth.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill expires on December 31, 2026.
  • It does not specify how the recommendations will be implemented after the report is submitted.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-13 Senate

    • Died in Education Postsecondary

  2. 2026-01-22 Senate

    • Introduced

  3. 2026-01-16 Senate

    • Referred to Education Postsecondary; Commerce and Tourism; Rules

  4. 2026-01-08 Senate

    • Filed

Official Summary Text

Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education; Creating the Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education Study Group; providing the purpose, membership, and duties of the study group; requiring the study group to submit a report by a specified date to the Governor and the Legislature, etc.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
Florida Senate
-
2026

SB 1458

By
Senator Davis

5-00962A-26 20261458__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to artificial intelligence in higher
3 education; creating the Artificial Intelligence in
4 Higher Education Study Group; providing the purpose,
5 membership, and duties of the study group; requiring
6 the study group to submit a report by a specified date
7 to the Governor and the Legislature; providing for
8 expiration; providing an effective date.
9
10 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
11
12 Section 1.
Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education

13
Study Group
.—

14
(1) CREATION.—
There is created the Artificial Intelligence

15
in Higher Education Study Group to review and make

16
recommendations on the
opportunities and risks presented by, and

17
best practices for managing, artificial intelligence
in academic

18
instruction, research, and student conduct within the State

19
University System and Florida College System.

20
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The study group shall consist of all of the

21
following:

22
(a)
Faculty members appointed by the presidents of state

23
universities and Florida College System institutions,

24
representing a mix of disciplines
,
including humanities,

25
sciences, and professional programs
.

26
(b)
Representatives from the Board of Governors and the

27
State Board of Education
.

28
(c)
At least one expert in artificial intelligence,

29
computer science, or data ethics
.

30
(d)
At least one representative from the
Southern Regional

31
Education Board
.

32
(e)
A representative from the Division of
Florida
Colleges

33
within the Department of Education
.

34
(f)
One student representative, who must be the student

35
member serving on the Board of Governors pursuant to s. 1004.70
,

36
Florida Statutes,
or the student member serving on the State

37
Board of Education pursuant to s. 1001.71
, Florida Statutes
.

38
(3) DUTIES.—The study group shall do all of the following:

39
(a)
Examine the impact of artificial intelligence on

40
academic integrity, including plagiarism, contract cheating, and

41
verification of student work.

42
(b)
Review potential applications of artificial

43
intelligence in teaching, learning support, advising, grading,

44
accessibility, and research.

45
(c)
Assess implications for privacy, intellectual property,

46
and data security when
artificial intelligence
tools are used by

47
faculty and students.

48
(d)
Consider safeguards to protect academic freedom while

49
maintaining clear expectations for student conduct.

50
(e)
Identify professional development, resource, and

51
training needs for faculty and staff to address the responsible

52
use of
artificial intelligence
in the classroom.

53
(f)
Review national and international best practices in

54
higher education regarding
artificial intelligence
governance

55
and adoption.

56
(g)
Recommend model policies for institutions to adopt

57
regarding the ethical and effective use of
artificial

58
intelligence
.

59
(4)
STAKEHOLDER INPUT
.
—
The study group shall solicit input

60
from faculty senates, student governments, accrediting bodies,

61
and industry representatives with expertise in artificial

62
intelligence and workforce development.

63
(5)
REPORT
.
—
By December 1, 2026, the study group shall

64
submit a report to the
Governor, the
President of the Senate,

65
and
the Speaker of the House of Representatives with findings

66
and recommendations, including model policies and any proposed

67
legislation.

68
(6) EXPIRATION.—
Th
is section expires December 31, 2026
.

69 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.