The new regulations also hinder the most capable Chinese competitors of Nvidia, Intel, and AMD, making it nearly impossible for Chinese startups Moore Threads and Biren to have their designs manufactured using advanced chipmaking technology. Furthermore, the rules restrict the export of advanced chipmaking equipment, known as immersion deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines, to China if they contain any American parts. This move is expected to constrain China's ability to expand advanced semiconductor manufacturing for many years.
Key takeaways:
- The Biden administration's new rules aim to limit China's access to key U.S. artificial intelligence chips, but also offer potential ways for Nvidia, Intel, and AMD to continue their business in China, one of the world's biggest chip markets.
- U.S. officials are open to the semiconductor industry's input on how to continue sending AI chips to China for small and medium-sized systems, while preventing their use in building supercomputers for military purposes.
- The new rules also hinder the capabilities of Chinese competitors to Nvidia, Intel, and AMD, making it nearly impossible for Chinese startups Moore Threads and Biren to have their designs manufactured using cutting-edge chipmaking technology.
- As part of the new rules, the export of advanced chipmaking equipment known as immersion deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines is restricted if they contain any American parts. This move is expected to constrain China’s ability to expand advanced node semiconductor manufacturing for many years.