The U.S. plans to introduce new regulations for AI chips: Google and Microsoft become global gatekeepers
The United States is preparing to introduce new regulations designating Google and Microsoft as gatekeepers for global AI chip distribution, allowing them to provide AI capabilities without a license, provided they comply with strict reporting requirements. This move aims to balance AI chip exports with preventing potential threat entities from acquiring them. The new rules will exempt 19 allied countries from using AI chips, while continuing to ban purchases from countries such as Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. The Information Technology Industry Council has expressed concerns that the government did not adequately seek industry input
According to informed sources, the United States is preparing to introduce new regulations aimed at designating technology companies such as Google (GOOGL.US) and Microsoft (MSFT.US) as gatekeepers for global artificial intelligence (AI) chip distribution. This would allow them to offer AI capabilities in overseas cloud services without a license, provided they comply with strict reporting requirements and prevent access by Chinese entities. This initiative is part of the Biden administration's strategy to balance the promotion of AI chip exports with the prevention of potential threats from entity acquisitions.
Details of the new regulations have been revealed for the first time. Although the U.S. Department of Commerce has not commented on the content or timing of the new regulations, informed sources indicate that the department's plans may still be subject to change. Both Google and Microsoft have not responded to inquiries. The new regulations follow the model of the national security agreement signed between Microsoft and the U.S. government in April, allowing Microsoft to provide AI technology to specific foreign companies.
The draft stipulates that companies not qualified as "gatekeepers" can apply for a license to import a limited number of high-end AI chips from manufacturers such as NVIDIA (NVDA.US) and AMD (AMD.US). NVIDIA has expressed willingness to cooperate with the government, while AMD has not yet responded. Additionally, the new regulations will exempt 19 allied countries, allowing them unrestricted use of AI chips or their capabilities, while countries under nuclear sanctions, such as Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, will continue to be banned from purchasing U.S. AI semiconductors.
Earlier this week, the government revealed that it is conducting a final review of the "AI diffusion" rules, signaling that regulations are about to be announced. These rules may be related to export limits on AI chips. The Information Technology Industry Council, representing companies like AMD and Google, has expressed concerns that the government may accelerate the implementation of complex rules without adequately consulting the industry, believing that this move could alter the export control landscape and have widespread global implications.
This new regulation is an extension of the plan launched in September, which allows pre-approved international data centers to receive AI chips without a license, but they must disclose a large amount of operational information, including customer details, business activities, access controls, and cybersecurity measures