The Biden administration is proposing a new framework for exports of advanced computer chips used to develop artificial intelligence, an attempt to balance national security concerns about the technology with the economic interests of producers and other countries. It is.
But Monday’s proposed framework means 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 also raised concerns among chip industry executives. Access may be restricted in countries such as Mexico, Portugal, Israel and Switzerland.
In a call with reporters previewing the framework, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said it was “critical” to maintain U.S. leadership in the development of AI and AI-related computer chips. Rapidly evolving AI technology will allow 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 ensures that cutting-edge aspects of AI, such as in the battery and renewable energy sectors, 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.
The Information Technology Industry Council, a high-tech trade group, wrote to Raimondo last week that the new rules, rushed by the Democratic administration, could disrupt global supply chains and put U.S. companies at a disadvantage. I warned you. Another group, the Semiconductor Industry Association, said Monday it was disappointed that the policy was “rushed out” ahead of the presidential transition.
“The new rules will cause unintended and lasting damage to the U.S. economy and the global competitiveness of semiconductors and AI by ceding strategic markets to competitors,” said John Neufer, president and CEO of SIA. There is a risk of giving.”
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.
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.
Officials said they felt they needed to act quickly to maintain the U.S.’s likely six- to 18-month lead in AI over rivals such as China, but if competitors This head start could easily be lost if they were able to stockpile chips. And bring more profits.
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.” “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.
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 the AI computing power that 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.
The new rules will not hinder AI-driven data center expansion plans by major cloud computing providers such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, as trusted companies seeking large clusters of advanced AI chips will be exempt. It is expected.
“We are confident that we can fully comply with the rule’s high security standards and meet the technology needs of the countries and customers around the world who rely on us,” Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a statement Monday. “
Microsoft came under intense bipartisan scrutiny last year when it announced it would invest $1.5 billion in a technology company based in the United Arab Emirates and overseen by the country’s powerful national security adviser.
Abu Dhabi-based G42 operates data centers in the Middle East and elsewhere and has built what it believes is the world’s leading Arabic AI model. Partly because of the relationship with China, Republican lawmakers have called for “special oversight” of AI partnerships and the introduction of “robust national security guardrails” to prevent key U.S. technologies from falling into Chinese hands. Biden is requesting authorities.
issued – January 13, 2025 9:58 PM IST
