The Biden administration is rolling out new regulations restricting exports of advanced computer chips used to develop artificial intelligence, as part of an effort to preserve America’s six- to 18-month advantage in AI over rivals such as China. is proposed.
The framework, proposed on Monday, said the rules would restrict access to existing chips used in video games and limit chips used in data centers and AI products in 120 countries. This has raised concerns among chip industry executives. Access may be restricted in countries such as Mexico, Portugal, Israel and Switzerland.
Semiconductor giant Nvidia on Monday called the proposal “misguided” and said it “could stifle innovation and economic growth around the world.”
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a call with reporters to preview the framework that it is “critically important” to maintain U.S. leadership in the development of AI and AI-related computer chips. Rapidly evolving AI technology will enable computers to create novels, make breakthroughs in scientific research, automate driving, and facilitate a host of other changes that could reshape economies and warfare. You can.
“As AI becomes more powerful, the risks to national security become even more serious,” Raimondo said. The framework is “designed to protect cutting-edge AI technology and keep it out of the hands of foreign adversaries, while also enabling widespread adoption and sharing of benefits with partner countries.”
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the framework will ensure that cutting-edge aspects of AI, such as those in batteries and renewable energy, cannot be exported overseas and are developed within the United States and with our closest allies. He emphasized that it is guaranteed that this will be done.
Government officials say they feel they need to act quickly to maintain U.S. companies’ advantage over China and other countries, and that if competitors stockpile chips and make more profits, that advantage will be lost. He said that sexuality can be easily lost.
AI-enhanced technology is predicted to drive growth and improve productivity for companies, with Wedbush analyst Dan Ives calling the technology development “a generation in the making” in a recent research note. It is called the 4th Industrial Revolution, which happens once in a while.
Risks to AI leadership?
The Information Technology Industry Council, a high-tech trade group, wrote to Raimondo last week that the new rules, hastily introduced by the Democratic administration, could disrupt global supply chains and put U.S. companies at a disadvantage. I warned you.
Naomi Wilson, the group’s senior vice president for Asia and global trade policy, said in a statement: “While we share the U.S. government’s commitment to national and economic security, the U.S.’s global leadership in AI has “The potential risks of this rule to the United States cannot be overstated.” He called for broader consultation with the technology industry.
One industry executive familiar with the framework, who insisted on anonymity to discuss the framework despite the government’s claims, said the proposed restrictions would limit access to chips already used in video games. He said it would be restrictive. The executive said it would also limit companies’ ability to build data centers overseas.
Nvidia slams proposal
The framework includes a 120-day comment period, so the incoming Republican administration of President-elect Donald Trump could ultimately decide on rules for overseas sales of advanced computer chips. This sets up a scenario in which President Trump must balance economic interests with the need to protect the security of the United States and its allies.
Ned Finkle, Nvidia’s vice president of external affairs, said in a statement that the previous Trump administration helped lay the groundwork for AI development, and that the proposed framework would require innovation to meet stated national security goals. He said it would have a negative impact on the
“Though disguised as ‘anti-China’ measures, these rules do nothing to strengthen U.S. security,” he said. “The new rules will govern technology around the world, including technology already widely used in mainstream gaming PCs and consumer hardware.”
Under the framework, about 20 major allies and partners would face no restrictions on access to chips, while other countries would face restrictions on what chips they could import, according to a fact sheet provided by the White House. Become.
countries without restrictions
Unrestricted allies include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
Users outside of these close allies can purchase up to 50,000 graphics processing units per country. There could also be an intergovernmental agreement that could raise the cap to 100,000 if renewable energy and technology security goals align with those of the United States.
Educational institutions in certain countries can also apply for legal status to purchase up to 320,000 advanced graphics processing units over two years. Still, there will be limits to how much AI computing power companies and other institutions can deploy overseas.
Additionally, orders for computer chips equivalent to 1,700 advanced graphics processing units will no longer require a license to import or count toward the national chip cap, among other criteria set out in the framework. . The 1,700 graphics processing unit exception is likely to help fulfill orders for universities and medical institutions, as opposed to data centers.
