Tech
US throws Nvidia a lifeline while choking off China’s Chipmaking future
(CTN News) – The Biden administration has recently implemented sweeping new rules that limit China’s access to crucial U.S. artificial intelligence Nvidia (AI) chips.
While the primary focus is to curtail China’s ability to exploit American chips for military and large-scale AI systems, the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has quietly left a door open for semiconductor industry input.
This input aims to find ways to continue supplying AI chips to China for small and medium-sized systems. The new rules also indirectly benefit major tech companies like Nvidia, Intel, and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), while hindering their capable Chinese competitors.
Hobbling Chinese Competitors:
One of the significant implications of the new rules is that it will make it exceedingly challenging for Chinese startups such as Moore Threads and Biren, which were founded by former Nvidia employees, to have their designs manufactured using cutting-edge chip-making technology.
This effectively positions Nvidia, Intel, and AMD as the primary legal options for Chinese buyers, as their designs are expected to comply with the new standards with minimal disruptions.
A “Tamperproof” Approach:
U.S. officials are seeking input from the semiconductor industry to develop a “tamperproof” way to prevent small to medium-sized systems from stringing together up to 256 AI chips into a supercomputer.
The goal is to ensure that controlled AI chips are not used to train large dual-use AI foundation models with potentially concerning capabilities while permitting AI training at a smaller scale.
Impact on Chip Manufacturers:
The new rules extend their impact to China’s chip manufacturers by restricting the export of advanced chipmaking equipment known as immersion deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines if they contain any American components.
Although DUV machines are not manufactured by American toolmakers, they are produced by companies in Japan and the Netherlands.
These restrictions aim to future-proof the document by closing off many potential developments. The rules also allow toolmakers to sell equipment for older chip designs without violating government restrictions.
Closing Doors:
The rules are meticulous, narrowing down the equipment targeted to specific technologies and techniques involved in building advanced transistor designs. This strategic focus allows for greater control and hampers China’s ability to expand its advanced node semiconductor manufacturing facilities.
Conclusion:
While the Biden administration’s new rules are primarily designed to restrict China’s access to key U.S. AI chips for military and large-scale AI systems, they also indirectly support major tech companies and limit the capabilities of their Chinese competitors.
The rules seek to strike a balance between safeguarding national security interests and preserving business in one of the world’s largest chip markets. It remains to be seen how the semiconductor industry will contribute to the development of “tamperproof” solutions to meet the evolving regulatory landscape.
