President Joe Biden has proposed a new framework to limit the export of advanced computer chips used to develop artificial intelligence.
The Biden administration outlined a series of rules with the aim of "keeping the world's AI runs on American rails," by placing restrictions on which countries U.S. companies can sell advanced chips to.
Newsweek contacted the White House for comment.
Why It Matters
Though the White House did not explicitly mention China in the regulations, the Asian nation is the U.S.'s top competitor in the AI space.
The new framework features a list of "countries of concern" that the White House fears will challenge U.S. leadership in the industry, restricting companies' ability to do business with these nations.
What To Know
The new Interim Final Rule on Artificial Intelligence Diffusion outlines new checks AI companies in the U.S. will have to complete before doing business with other nations.
It will use a series of lists - one of U.S. allies and partners, and another of countries of concern - to determine whether or not there is a risk of U.S. technology being used to power or train artificial intelligence that could go against U.S. interests.
Specifically, technology like advanced semiconductors sold abroad will not be allowed to be used to train advanced AI systems in countries of concern.
In the announcement, the White House said the new rules would "streamline licensing hurdles for both large and small chip orders, bolsters U.S. AI leadership, and provides clarity to allied and partner nations about how they can benefit from AI."
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo also said that the framework was "critical" to preserve America's leadership in AI and the development of AI-related computer chips.
"As AI becomes more powerful, the risks to our national security become even more intense," Raimondo said, according to the Associated Press.
He added that the framework is "designed to safeguard the most advanced AI technology and ensure that it stays out of the hands of our foreign adversaries but also enabling the broad diffusion and sharing of the benefits with partner countries."
U.S. allies without restrictions include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.
However, certain countries such as Mexico, Portugal, Israel and Switzerland are among the nations that could face limited access.
What People Are Saying
In the announcement, the Biden administration said: "Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming central to both security and economic strength. The United States must act decisively to lead this transition by ensuring that U.S. technology undergirds global AI use and that adversaries cannot easily abuse advanced AI.
"In the wrong hands, powerful AI systems have the potential to exacerbate significant national security risks, including by enabling the development of weapons of mass destruction, supporting powerful offensive cyber operations, and aiding human rights abuses, such as mass surveillance."
However, the new framework was met with skepticism from some within the AI industry.
Nvidia Vice President Ned Finkle said: "We would encourage President Biden to not preempt incoming President Trump by enacting a policy that will only harm the U.S. economy, set America back, and play into the hands of U.S. adversaries.
"This last-minute Biden administration policy would be a legacy that will be criticized by U.S. industry and the global community."
What Happens Next
Joe Biden's presidency ends on January 20, with President-elect Donald Trump taking his place.
Trump has pledged to relax restrictions on AI, and is surrounded by several key players in the tech industry.
However, he has also taken an aggressive stance on halting China, which could cause conflict on this topic.
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