"US to Block China's Access to AI Semiconductor Technology... Discussions on Regulations Including GAA"

The Biden administration in the United States, ahead of the presidential election this November, is considering additional regulations to prevent China from accessing cutting-edge semiconductor technology used in artificial intelligence (AI).

[Image source=UPI Yonhap News]

Bloomberg News reported on the 11th (local time), citing multiple sources, that the U.S. government is discussing measures to restrict the advanced semiconductor design method known as Gate All Around (GAA) against China.

GAA is regarded as a next-generation technology with higher data processing speed and power efficiency compared to the existing FinFET process. Companies such as Nvidia, Intel, and AMD plan to mass-produce semiconductors applying GAA technology next year in collaboration with manufacturing partners Samsung Electronics and Taiwan's TSMC. Additionally, Samsung Electronics was the first to introduce GAA in its 3-nanometer process.

Currently, the U.S. government aims to block China's access to early-stage technology before it becomes commercialized, making it difficult for China to build sophisticated computing systems for AI models. Although the timing of the final decision is unclear, additional regulations are expected before the November election. Previously, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo repeatedly stated that the U.S. would take necessary measures, emphasizing that AI technology could enhance China's military capabilities.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) recently sent a draft of GAA regulations to a technical advisory committee composed of industry stakeholders. This corresponds to the final step in the regulatory process. Industry insiders reportedly criticized the draft regulations as being overly broad.

At present, it is unclear whether the GAA regulations will focus on limiting China’s ability to develop its own GAA chips or also block exports of products to China by U.S. semiconductor companies and other foreign firms. One source explained, "This measure will not completely ban the export of GAA chips but will focus on the technology necessary to produce them."

Alongside this, Bloomberg News reported that the U.S. has also begun discussions on restricting exports of high-bandwidth memory (HBM). The outlet noted, "HBM produced by companies such as SK Hynix and Micron helps enhance AI accelerators," but added, "Discussions on GAA regulations are progressing ahead of those on HBM."