NVIDIA Criticizes Biden's AI Export Rules as Threat to 'Global Innovation'

Global chip leader NVIDIA issued a statement on its official website on Monday, criticizing the AI export rules proposal just put forward by the Biden administration.

NVIDIA Vice President Ned Finkle pointed out in the statement that the framework proposed by Biden simply cannot achieve the so - called national security goals it has put forward, and will only threaten "global innovation" and "economic growth".

According to summaries from the White House's official website and local media, in the last week of its term, the Biden administration proposed an advanced AI chip export quota and restriction policy that affects the world.

In short, under this framework, about a dozen countries and regions are listed as "key US allies" and can import advanced chips without restrictions, while other countries and regions will face import ceilings.

More than a hundred countries and regions outside these allies can purchase up to 50,000 advanced computing chips per year. If their renewable energy and technology security goals are consistent with those of the United States, they can increase the ceiling to 100,000 through intergovernmental transactions. Certain institutions in some countries can also apply for a legal status that allows them to purchase up to 320,000 advanced GPUs over two years, but they will still be subject to restrictions when deployed.

There is also an exemption rule for this new regulation. Orders with integrated computing power below about 1,700 advanced GPUs do not require a license and do not count towards the national chip quota ceiling. This is designed to meet the orders of medical institutions and research institutions.

Finally, countries that have already faced US chip export bans will continue to face the previous restrictions.

NVIDIA accused in the statement: "In its last days in office, the Biden Administration seeks to undermine America's leadership with a 200+ page regulatory morass, drafted in secret and without proper legislative review. This sweeping overreach would impose bureaucratic control over how America's leading semiconductors, computers, systems, and even software are designed and marketed globally. And by attempting to rig market outcomes and stifle competition — the lifeblood of innovation — the Biden Administration's new rule threatens to squander America's hard-won technological advantage."

Finkel emphasized that the latest policy would not enhance US security. These rules will control global technology, including technology that is already widely available in mainstream gaming computers and consumer hardware. Biden's new rules will not only not alleviate any threats, but will also weaken the global competitiveness of the United States and undermine the innovation that keeps the United States in the lead.

Although this is a policy proposed by the Biden administration before leaving office, whether it can be implemented ultimately depends on Trump's attitude.

The outgoing US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said that this policy has a 120 - day comment period, so that the Trump administration can have time to settle down and modify the rules after communicating with the industry and other countries.

However, in fact, in addition to NVIDIA, American semiconductor and technology companies generally have strong dissatisfaction with this policy.

The Semiconductor Industry Association of the United States said last week that they have deep concerns about the unprecedented scope and complexity of this potential regulation, which was formulated without industry opinion and may significantly weaken the United States' leadership and competitiveness in semiconductor technology and advanced artificial intelligence systems.

In fact, the US Congress also has a lot of opinions on this proposal. Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, who represent the bipartisan members of the Senate Commerce Committee, have written to Raimondo to express their concerns. Cruz also said last week that before the rule officially takes effect, he will consider every tool, including the Congressional Review Act, to protect the US industry from unnecessary over - intervention.