The Biden administration proposed new export restrictions on computer chips used for artificial intelligence (AI) on Monday. The restrictions are an effort to prevent other rival nations, from accessing and abusing advanced US technology.

The Biden administration referred to its new regulation as “an Interim Final Rule on Artificial Intelligence Diffusion.” In its press release, the administration emphasized that restrictions on US computer chip exports are crucial for national security and economic strength. The proposed regulation aims to “catalyze the responsible diffusion of US technology.” The regulation also hopes to streamline “licensing hurdles for both large and small chip orders”, strengthen US AI leadership, as well as “provide clarity to allied and partner nations about how they can benefit from AI.”

The Biden administration’s proposed rule follows previous regulations on US chip controls. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the US Department of Commerce released an interim final rule in October 2022 regarding US exports of advanced computing and manufacturing items. BIS stressed the importance of restricting China’s access to critical technologies to advance national security. BIS implemented several revisions to the interim final rule, which was published in October 2023.

The press release stated that the proposed rule builds off of the October 2022 and 2023 regulations, and is the product of relevant discussions over the last ten months.

However, as the Biden administration leaves office in a week, the proposed regulation remains unclear. The Trump administration has previously expressed support for AI. The Trump administration established the American AI Initiative in 2019, which sought to increase the country’s AI efforts. The American AI initiative also emphasized international engagement. The incoming administration will have to weigh the costs and benefits of the proposed rule.