Outgoing US President Joe Biden on Monday unveiled new export restrictions on state-of-the-art artificial intelligence technology, including chips and AI models used for software, in an effort to keep it out of the hands of adversaries. A group of 20 partner countries will be exempt from the restrictions, which were announced just a week before Biden leaves office and could still change following input by experts and industry insiders. “In the wrong hands, powerful AI systems have the potential to exacerbate significant national security risks, including by enabling the development of weapons of mass destruction, supporting powerful offensive cyber operations, and aiding human rights abuses, such as mass surveillance,” a White House statement said. The “overwhelming majority of chip orders” will not be affected as they do not contain cutting-edge technology, meaning the impact on universities, medical institutions and research organizations will be minimal, it said.
