Securing Florida’s future with artificial intelligence | Opinion

The president and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce writes that artificial intelligence is changing how Florida does business, from agriculture and health care to education and entrepreneurship. Leading the economy of the future means focusing on where AI goes next.

At the Florida Chamber of Commerce, our purpose is securing Florida’s future. As the leading voice of business in Florida, we are focused on leading Florida to a diverse and sustainable economy that prioritizes global competitiveness, high-paying jobs, and vibrant and resilient communities.

At the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2023 Florida Technology & Innovation Solution Summit, Saif Ishoof, founder of Lab22c and an artificial intelligence (AI) expert, summed up the 21st century global economy by noting that “the keys to survival in this age of disruption are mindset, curiosity, thinking globally.” He went on to admonish the business leader attendees that when it comes to AI, “the shot clock has started.”

That is why Florida must continue to serve as a leader in AI innovation and use. The Florida Chamber is uniting Florida’s business community to identify the headwinds and tailwinds — whether through education and awareness, public-private partnerships around best practices, or the advancement of smart public policy.

With one in every 13 jobs in the U.S. being created here in Florida, our state bears a responsibility to capitalize on technological innovations for the sake of economic progress. With the potential to revolutionize industries from agriculture to health care and space exploration to advanced manufacturing, Florida businesses must embrace AI to stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive.

Florida’s ability to meet the competitive potential laid out in many of our 2030 Blueprint goals — whether to become a top 3 state for tech jobs or top 3 for attracting R&D spending — will be made harder or easier based on how we leverage AI.

The Sunshine State has already made significant strides in AI research and development, with several universities and research institutions investing heavily in the field. The University of Florida, for example, has established a new AI research initiative that aims to accelerate the development and discovery of new AI technologies and their applications.

Florida farmers, too, are increasingly adopting new technology and implementing AI to revolutionize the state’s agricultural sector. Aerial drones with sensors are being used to survey land, track crop health, and perform tasks such as seeding and spraying to improve efficiency, reduce manual labor, and further protect the environment. For example, AI is being used to develop irrigation systems that respond in real time to soil and atmospheric data, effectively conserving water resources. These advancements are also enabling the development of crops that are more resilient to environmental stresses and diseases.

Florida’s health care sector is also paving the way for AI technology. Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) recently announced it is the first health care system in the nation to expand its cardiac program by incorporating AI to help detect heart valve disease at an earlier stage. Adopting AI for early detection of potentially fatal conditions is a game-changer for patients that can lead to better outcomes.

Florida entrepreneurs also stand to significantly benefit from adopting AI technology, and our business community has already begun deploying AI in a number of new ways. One of the primary benefits of AI is its ability to automate repetitive tasks, freeing employees to focus on higher-level projects, leading to increased productivity, efficiency and accuracy.

Similarly, in Florida’s PreK-12 system, AI is already used to help develop curriculum and tutoring plans to allow teachers to focus their time and energy on teaching. And those in tourism — one of Florida’s top industries — have used AI for everything from travel planning and itineraries to targeted ads and social media posts.

AI is giving businesses a competitive edge. Florida’s economy is already competing on a global scale, ranking as the 15th largest economy in the world. By using AI for tasks such as market analysis and product development, Florida-based businesses can quickly adapt to changes in the market and stay one step ahead of their competitors, not only at home but across the globe.

To achieve these goals of a forward thinking, cutting-edge state economy, our lawmakers must take note of the ways AI is already being deployed in Florida. Every new technology demands a critical eye, but it is essential that we do not stifle the innovations our businesses are driving forward in a rush to regulate. If we understand the true benefits, we can identify and pursue a balanced, effective approach to AI adoption that sets an example for the rest of America.

Over the next six years, Florida is projected to grow by an additional 2.8 million net new residents and create an additional 1.33 million new jobs. By embracing technological innovation, we can make Florida our nation’s best hope. Let’s turn towards that future together.

Mark Wilson is the president and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. He lives in Tallahassee.