New limitation on artificial intelligence chips from the US

The US is reportedly considering new restrictions on exports of AI chips to China. The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, that the US Commerce Department could take action as early as next month to halt shipments of chips by Nvidia and other chipmakers to customers in China and other countries without prior licenses. The report said that the move could further limit China’s ability to develop AI capabilities after restrictions last year cut off access to the most advanced AI chips made by Nvidia and AMD. The report noted that Nvidia makes a lower version of its AI chips for the Chinese market, and that the new restrictions would prohibit the unlicensed sale of even these chips. The report also noted that the US is considering restricting the leasing of cloud services to Chinese AI companies that use such arrangements to bypass export bans on advanced chips. The report noted that chipmakers have asked the administration to waive or ease the new restrictions, and it is therefore unclear when the new restrictions will come into effect.