US govt reportedly mulls capping AI GPU exports from Nvidia and AMD to the Middle East

Nvidia A100
(Image credit: Nvidia)

The Biden administration is reportedly weighing restrictions on AI chip exports from companies like Nvidia and AMD to the Middle East, following earlier limits on China. This move reflects concerns over advanced AI technologies' potential military and surveillance applications. AI GPUs such as Nvidia's A100 and H100 are crucial components in the development of artificial intelligence, including large-scale models and deep learning, making them a point of focus in global technological and geopolitical strategies.

This potential ban would extend restrictions on chip sales to China, broadening their impact to include the Middle East. The U.S. government is increasingly concerned about the possibility of these GPUs being utilized for non-civilian purposes, such as military advancements or authoritarian surveillance systems. By controlling access to high-performance chips, the U.S. aims to mitigate risks associated with the misuse of AI technologies, particularly by regimes that could use them for internal control or international destabilization.

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Kunal Khullar
News Contributor

Kunal Khullar is a contributing writer at Tom’s Hardware.  He is a long time technology journalist and reviewer specializing in PC components and peripherals, and welcomes any and every question around building a PC.