The Biden administration has proposed new rules for exporting advanced computer chips used in artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to balance national security concerns with economic interests of producers and other countries. The framework would restrict exports to 120 countries, including Mexico, Portugal, Israel, and Switzerland, but prioritize access for allies like Australia, Canada, and Japan.
The move is aimed at preserving America’s leadership in AI development and countering China’s growing influence in the field. However, industry executives, such as those from Nvidia and AMD, have expressed concerns that the rules would limit access to chips already used for video games and hinder innovation.
Under the framework, around 20 key allies would face no restrictions on accessing chips, while other countries would face caps on their imports. The limits would be set at up to 50,000 graphics processing units per country, with exemptions for trusted companies seeking large clusters of advanced AI chips. Institutions could also apply for a legal status to purchase up to 320,000 advanced graphics processing units over two years.
Industry analysts believe the new rules fit into a broader U.S.-China trade policy initiated by Trump and continued by Biden. The proposed framework would likely be influenced by the incoming Republican administration, which will determine whether to adopt or modify the rules for exporting AI chips abroad.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/biden-ai-artificial-intelligence-chips-computer-trade-4495b5b4a48e856dc612e7abe3e47d20