Yazılar

US Investigates Whether DeepSeek Used Restricted AI Chips

/in /tarafından

The U.S. Commerce Department is investigating whether DeepSeek, the Chinese AI company behind a disruptive new model, has been using U.S.-made AI chips that are restricted from being shipped to China, according to a source familiar with the situation. DeepSeek’s free assistant, which launched last week, has been widely praised for its cost-effective performance and ability to process less data compared to U.S. models. It quickly became the most downloaded app on Apple’s App Store, raising concerns in the U.S. about its competitive edge in AI and contributing to a significant drop in the stock market, which wiped out around $1 trillion from U.S. tech stocks.

The current restrictions on advanced AI processors, particularly from Nvidia (NVDA.O), are designed to prevent China from accessing the most sophisticated chips that could enhance its AI capabilities. The U.S. has been tracking organized smuggling operations of these chips into China from countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.

DeepSeek has reportedly used Nvidia’s H800 chips, which were legally purchased in 2023. However, the legality of DeepSeek’s access to other U.S. chips remains unclear. It is also known to have Nvidia’s H20 chips, which can be legally sold to China. Although there have been discussions within the U.S. government about placing more restrictions on these chips, the Biden administration and new Trump officials are also weighing tighter controls.

In response to these allegations, Nvidia emphasized that it requires its partners to comply with U.S. export laws, noting that many of its clients in Singapore might use the country as an intermediary for products destined for the U.S. and the West. However, the Singapore trade ministry stated that while there was no indication that DeepSeek obtained export-controlled chips from Singapore, it would continue to uphold the rule of law and cooperate with U.S. authorities.

DeepSeek has also been linked to the use of chips that, while not banned, have raised concerns among AI industry experts. Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, expressed doubts over the legality of some of DeepSeek’s chips, suggesting that they could include smuggled or pre-banned processors.

The U.S. has imposed a range of restrictions on AI chip exports to China and is planning to extend these limits to other countries.

 

Trump Reverses Biden’s Executive Order on AI Risk Mitigation

/in /tarafından

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday revoked an executive order signed by former President Joe Biden in 2023, aimed at addressing the risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI). The order, which required AI developers to disclose safety test results for AI systems with potential risks to national security, the economy, public health, or safety, has been a point of contention as it came at a time when Congress had yet to pass comprehensive AI regulation.

Key Points:

  • Revocation of Biden’s Executive Order: Trump’s decision to revoke Biden’s 2023 executive order dismantles the framework that sought to introduce safety protocols for AI development. Biden’s order mandated AI developers to provide test results for high-risk AI systems to the U.S. government before they were made public, underlining concerns over national security and public safety.
  • Republican Stance on AI: The 2024 Republican Party platform had previously called for the repeal of Biden’s order, citing its potential to stifle AI innovation. The platform emphasized that AI development should be grounded in principles of free speech and human flourishing, aligning with Trump’s decision.
  • Risks and Opportunities in AI: While AI, particularly generative AI, has generated both excitement and concern due to its potential to automate tasks and disrupt industries, there are also fears about its consequences on jobs and security. The rapid advancements in AI technologies, such as those capable of creating text, images, and videos, have raised alarms about unforeseen risks.
  • Recent Developments in AI Oversight: Just last week, the U.S. Commerce Department introduced new restrictions on AI chip and technology exports, drawing backlash from tech companies like Nvidia. While Trump revoked Biden’s order concerning AI safety protocols, Biden’s administration has not yet fully relaxed its regulatory approach, as seen in a separate executive order aimed at supporting energy needs for AI data centers.

IBM and GlobalFoundries Settle Legal Disputes Over Contract and Trade Secrets

/in /tarafından

IBM and GlobalFoundries announced on Thursday that they have resolved their legal disputes, settling lawsuits involving allegations of contract breaches and trade secret misuse. The confidential settlement, outlined in a joint statement, will enable the two companies to “explore new opportunities for collaboration.”

The lawsuits stemmed from GlobalFoundries’ 2015 acquisition of IBM’s semiconductor manufacturing facilities. In 2021, IBM filed a lawsuit in New York state court, claiming GlobalFoundries had violated a $1.5 billion agreement to produce high-performance chips for the tech giant.

In response, GlobalFoundries, majority-owned by Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala sovereign wealth fund, filed a countersuit in New York federal court in 2023. The company accused IBM of misappropriating its trade secrets and sharing proprietary chipmaking information with competitors, including Intel and Japan’s Rapidus consortium, during collaborative partnerships.

Intel has declined to comment on the settlement, while Rapidus did not respond to inquiries regarding the matter.

GlobalFoundries’ Strategic Positioning

GlobalFoundries has recently solidified its role in the semiconductor industry, benefiting from government incentives aimed at boosting domestic chip production. In November, the U.S. Commerce Department awarded the company a $1.5 billion subsidy to expand its manufacturing facilities in New York and Vermont.

This settlement marks the end of a contentious chapter between the two companies and signals a potential reset in their relationship. Both IBM and GlobalFoundries appear poised to focus on future collaboration as the semiconductor sector faces growing demand and geopolitical pressures.