Tech group urges US to halt rule that would limit global access to AI chips

A know-how trade group on Tuesday urged President Joe Biden’s administration to chorus from issuing a last-minute rule that will management international entry to AI chips, warning the restrictions would jeopardise US management in synthetic intelligence.

The Data Expertise Business Council, representing corporations like Amazon, Microsoft and Meta, stated the rule, which might come out as quickly as Friday, would place arbitrary constraints on US corporations’ capability to promote computing techniques abroad and cede the worldwide market to opponents.

Reuters reported unique particulars final month on the Commerce Division’s plan for approving international AI chip exports whereas additionally stopping unhealthy actors from accessing them. A key goal of the restrictions is to maintain AI from supercharging China’s navy capabilities.

In a letter to US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, ITI CEO Jason Oxman criticised the administration’s “insistence” on publishing the rule within the last days of Joe Biden’s presidency. Donald Trump will probably be inaugurated January 20.

“Speeding a consequential and sophisticated rule to completion might have important adversarial penalties,” Oxman stated within the January 7 letter, a replica of which was obtained by Reuters.

Whereas ITI appreciates the dedication to nationwide safety, the letter stated, “the potential dangers to US international management in AI are actual and must be taken severely”.

The group requested that any such controls be issued as proposed rule making, fairly than a rule, given the numerous geopolitical and financial implications.