State to Study Automation, AI and Robotics' Impact on Employment

As state lawmakers continue to finalize the state budget after extending this year’s legislative session deadline to June 6, Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a handful of bills into law, including HB 827.

Filed on Feb. 20 by Rep. Leonard Spencer, D-45, HB 827 will require the Bureau of Workforce Statistics and Economic Research within the Florida Department of Commerce to conduct a statewide study on the impact of automation, artificial intelligence and robotics on Florida’s workforce.

Specific focus areas of the study include:

• Industries most affected and projected job displacement in the next 10 years, particularly due to the use of AI   
• Geographic regions within the state that are most vulnerable to job loss or displacement 
• Demographics of workers who are most at risk 
• Impact on wages and job quality in key job sectors 
• The rate and scale of job loss or displacement caused specifically by AI compared to other forms of automation 

Once the law goes into effect on July 1, 2025, the bureau must submit a report of its findings to the governor, the Senate president and the speaker of the House by Dec. 1, 2025. After that, the report will be updated every three years per the legislation.

More information about the bill can be found online.