U.S. reverses Biden-era export controls on advanced AI chips

Washington has expanded its efforts in recent years to curb exports of state-of-the-art chips to China.

The United States rescinded further export controls Tuesday on advanced computing semiconductors, answering calls by countries that said they were being shut out from crucial technology needed to develop artificial intelligence.

The so-called "AI diffusion rule," set to take effect on May 15, was part of a series of actions taken by then-President Joe Biden just before leaving office in January that sought to make it harder for Beijing to access advanced technology.

"The Trump Administration will pursue a bold, inclusive strategy to share American AI technology with trusted foreign countries around the world, while keeping the technology out of the hands of our adversaries," said Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Jeffrey Kessler.

Kessler criticised the previous administration's approach, adding: "We reject the Biden Administration's attempt to impose its own ill-conceived and counterproductive AI policies on the American people."

Washington has expanded its efforts in recent years to curb exports of state-of-the-art chips to China, concerned that these can be used to advance Beijing's military systems and otherwise undermine American dominance in AI.

Biden's proposed rule aimed to avert any circumvention of chip supply to China from other countries.

The Commerce Department said the rule would have damaged American innovation and diplomatic relations with numerous countries that would have been "downgraded to second-tier status."