US announces new restrictions on AI chip exports [Video]

The Regulus SoM chip, an AI Accelerator, sits on display during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 9, 2025..Photo: Ian Maule / AFPSource: AFP

The United States unveiled new export rules Monday on chips used for artificial intelligence, furthering efforts to make it tough for China and other rivals to access advanced technology in Joe Biden’s final days as president.

The restrictions build on curbs announced in 2023 on exporting certain AI chips to China, which the United States sees as a strategic competitor in the field of advanced semiconductors.

“The US leads the world in AI now — both AI development and AI chip design — and it’s critical that we keep it that way,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told reporters.

But the effort drew industry criticism and sharp warnings that it would hurt US competitiveness.

Semiconductor Industry Association chief executive John Neuffer said: “We’re deeply disappointed that a policy …