BIS Issues New Global AI Chip Export Controls, Exceptions
A new Bureau of Industry and Security rule released Jan. 13 will place new, worldwide export controls on advanced computing chips and certain closed artificial intelligence model weights, capping the number of AI chips that can be sent to most countries while introducing an exception for a group of allies that the Biden administration said already have strong AI technology protection rules. The 168-page interim final rule also creates new license exceptions for certain supply chain activities and low-volume shipments of powerful chips -- except for China, Russia and other U.S.-embargoed countries -- and updates the agency’s validated end-user program (VEU) to lift certain licensing requirements for certain data centers that meet stringent new security conditions.
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License applications will be reviewed under a presumption of approval until the total quantity of controlled chips exported to that country exceeds the specified cap outlined in the rule, BIS said. After a country reaches that cap, applications will be reviewed under a policy of denial. A presumption of denial remains in place for arms-embargoed countries, regardless of quantity.
The rule takes effect Jan. 13, although exporters and others won’t need to comply with most changes until May 15 and portions of the new VEU-related security requirements until Jan. 15, 2026. Public comments are due May 15.