US tightens AI-chip exports to China and Russia
The U.S. government has restricted exports of AI- and supercomputer chips to China and Russia. The The New York Times reports.
Nvidia’s products were affected by the new licensing restrictions. The U.S. Department of Commerce informed the chipmaker of a ban on shipments of graphics processors A100 and H100, designed to accelerate machine-learning tasks, to Russia and China.
Officials say the new rules will prevent the risk that these products will be used for military purposes by either country.
“We are taking a comprehensive approach to implementing additional actions necessary with respect to technologies […], to safeguard U.S. national security and foreign policy interests,” said a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Nvidia acknowledged in a filing with the SEC that the restriction could hinder the completion of the H100 processor.
The U.S. government allowed the company to manufacture AI chips in China.
Nvidia said authorities approved export, re-export and intra-country transfer of the technology necessary to create H100 integrated circuits.
The tech giant had expected to earn around $400 million from sales to Chinese companies in the third fiscal quarter of 2022. However Nvidia could lose potential revenue if its Chinese customers shun alternative products or if the government does not grant a license.
The company also noted the halt of deliveries to Russia.
The restrictions also affect AMD. The tech giant will not be able to export MI250 chips to China. However the company does not believe this will have a significant impact on its business.
Hours after the announcement, Nvidia shares fell 6.5%. AMD stock fell 3.7%.
Earlier, the U.S. Department of Commerce tightened export controls on chip-making technologies to prevent Chinese manufacturers from using them.
In July, Nvidia stopped selling and renewing licenses for software in Russia.
In November 2021, U.S. authorities blacklisted Chinese developers of quantum computing systems.
In July, the U.S. Department of Commerce imposed sanctions against 14 Chinese tech companies for human rights violations against the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang.
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