US authorities are preparing new restrictions in the field of AI for China, which will affect third countries

By the end of the week, The Wall Street Journal had determined the specifics of the new restrictions that the US authorities are preparing in the supply of components and artificial intelligence systems to China through third countries. Strengthening US export restrictions in this vein threatens to worsen relations with a number of countries in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Image source: NVIDIA

The closest geopolitical allies of the United States, as the source clarifies, are not threatened with new restrictions, but countries that in this sense are trying to be equidistant from China and the United States may be subject to restrictions on the purchase of components for artificial intelligence systems, which through these countries can enter China , according to American officials.

In addition to the ban on the supply of GPU-based computing accelerators, the US authorities are also preparing broader formulations that make it possible to adjust a variety of computing components to supply restrictions. The area of ​​the chip, the number and density of transistors on it, and some indirect signs indicating the possibility of using the chip in AI systems will become criteria when formulating export restrictions. Reportedly, TSMC and Samsung have already received letters from American regulators recommending not to accept orders from Chinese customers for the manufacture of high-performance chips using advanced technological processes.

US authorities are also seeking to limit Chinese companies’ access to computing power located in other countries. Exports of software from the United States will also be subject to additional controls if the planned measures are implemented.

American officials have already intervened in the process of cooperation between Microsoft and the UAE company G42, which was forced to refuse interaction with Chinese partners and investors in exchange for access to Nvidia computing accelerators and American investments. Malaysia could be the next target of US sanctions as the country simultaneously maintains friendly relations with China while trying to develop its own data center infrastructure and artificial intelligence systems. All the described measures are only being discussed and may ultimately be implemented in a modified form, if it comes to their implementation at all, because the term of office of the current US government expires in January.