US tightens restrictions on export of AI chips to China: What's the reason
Photo: The US tightened restrictions on the export of AI chips to China (Getty Images)
This Friday, March 29, the administration of Joe Biden reviewed restrictions on the supply of American artificial intelligence (AI) microchips and chip production tools to China, reports Reuters.
As explained by the news provider, the restrictions were introduced for reasons of national security. The rules were first implemented in October 2023 and aimed to halt shipments of advanced AI microchips developed by Nvidia and other companies to China. States fear that the progressive technological sector will contribute to the strengthening of the Chinese military.
The new restrictions will come into effect on Thursday, April 4. Among them, restrictions will also apply to laptops containing these chips.
"The Commerce Department, which oversees export controls, has said it plans to continue updating its restrictions on technology shipments to China as it seeks to bolster and fine-tune the measures," Reuters adds.
Chip supply restrictions to China
The European Union and the United States have previously discussed the possibility of close cooperation to address risks associated with investment in sensitive technologies in countries such as China.
In the summer of 2023, the United States and the Netherlands introduced new restrictions that affected Chinese chip manufacturers.
Additionally, the United States has stated that they will take further steps to prevent American chip manufacturers from selling semiconductors to China in circumvention of government restrictions.
