U.S. to Impose AI Chip Restrictions in Southeast Asia, Middle East to Curb China's Military AI

Dec 13, 2024, 07:36 PM

The U.S. government is preparing to implement new rules that would restrict the sale of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips, specifically high-end GPUs, to certain countries in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, in an effort to limit China's access to these technologies. These measures are part of a broader strategy to curb China's ability to enhance its military and surveillance capabilities through AI. The restrictions aim to close loopholes that allowed Chinese companies to acquire these chips through third-party nations. The U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has been actively updating these controls, with the latest round of restrictions expected to be finalized before the end of the month. The rules also cover semiconductor manufacturing equipment, targeting the entire supply chain to prevent China from developing its own advanced chip production capabilities.