The Biden administration has introduced a new rule to facilitate selling artificial intelligence systems and computing power to U. S. allies, while preventing access to countries of concern. Announced in a White House press release on Monday (Jan. 13), the Interim Final Rule on Artificial Intelligence Diffusion expands on chip control regulations from October 2022 and October 2023. The press release emphasized the importance of maintaining AI technology domestically, stating, "It is essential that we do not offshore this critical technology and that the world’s AI runs on American rails. " It highlighted the need to collaborate with AI companies and foreign governments to establish crucial security and trust standards for developing AI ecosystems. The new rule allows unrestricted chip sales to 18 U. S. allies and partners, and simplifies processing for low-risk technology shipments.

It also introduces two statuses, Universal Verified End User (UVEU) and National Verified End User, to enable trusted entities to benefit from U. S. technology. Additionally, the rule permits non-VEU entities outside key allies to purchase significant computational power and allows governments to double their chip caps through agreements that align AI values with the U. S. , according to the release. To limit technology access for countries of concern, the rule ensures these countries can access advanced semiconductors for general applications but not for training advanced AI. It restricts the transfer of model weights and enforces security standards to protect advanced closed-weight AI models. Biden established the first National Security Memorandum on AI in October, instructing federal agencies to safeguard AI developments as strategic assets while promoting their secure development for national security purposes. The White House directive set three main goals: sustaining U. S. leadership in safe AI development, utilizing AI for national security while preserving democratic principles, and achieving international consensus on AI governance.