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The United States is set to impose tough new restrictions on the export of advanced computer chips and other artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to dozens of countries – not just a handful of countries it have long been identified as adversaries.
Officials say the new rules aim to ensure “global AI runs on American rails” and keep it out of the hands of “malicious actors” who could use it to threaten the United States.
The Biden administration said 18 allies and partners, including the United Kingdom, were exempt from the restrictions.
The announcement, days before President Joe Biden’s departure, sparked strong criticism from some major US technology companies, who warn it would only help its competitors.
“In the wrong hands, powerful AI systems can potentially exacerbate significant national security risks, including enabling the development of weapons of mass destruction, supporting powerful offensive cyber operations, and enabling human rights abuses. “man, such as mass surveillance,” the United States said. The Commerce Department said Monday.
Chipmaker Nvidia, among the companies whose businesses would be most affected by the plan, said that if implemented it would not mitigate any threats but would only weaken the company’s global competitiveness. America and would undermine its innovation.
“By attempting to rig market outcomes and stifle competition – the lifeblood of innovation – the Biden administration’s new rule threatens to squander America’s hard-won technological advantage,” said the company.
The new restrictions are subject to a 120-day comment period before taking effect.
Exports to countries like China, Russia and Iran are already subject to strict controls.
The new rules set caps on exports of certain technologies to most countries around the world and require U.S. companies to obtain authorization to sell there.
Washington’s closest allies would be exempt from these limits.
Orders below a certain level of computing power would also not require a license and would not count toward the plan’s caps. Most orders, such as those from universities or medical organizations, fall below that threshold of 1,700 advanced GPUs, the Biden administration said.
The rules also outline a process for foreign governments to sign agreements, in exchange for looser restrictions.
Biden administration officials said they have discussed the regulations with the new administration.
But Jonathan Kewley, co-head of the technology group at law firm Clifford Chance, said he didn’t think the rules would survive once Trump takes office, noting that one of Trump’s key campaign promises was to change the government’s approach to regulating AI.
“It is absolutely certain that the Trump administration will walk back much of what Biden announced,” he said. “There will be a big play for innovation and growth in the United States and a downside in the approach to regulating AI.”
The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a technology policy think tank, said it believes the United States would be better served by a strategy focused on competition rather than “containment.”
“By pressuring other countries to choose between the United States and China, the administration risks alienating key partners and inadvertently strengthening China’s position in the global ecosystem. ‘AI,’ said Vice President Daniel Castro.
“Faced with such an ultimatum, many countries could opt for the side that would provide them with uninterrupted access to AI technologies vital to their economic growth and digital future.”
