AI export rules tighten as the US opens global opportunities
The American AI Exports Program aims to boost small business innovation in AI while ensuring sensitive technologies do not fall into military or weapons use abroad.
President Trump has signed an Executive Order to promote American leadership in AI exports, marking a significant policy shift. The move creates new global opportunities for US businesses but also introduces stricter compliance responsibilities.
The order establishes the American AI Exports Program, overseen by the Department of Commerce, to develop and deploy ‘full-stack’ AI export packages.
These packages cover everything from chips and cloud infrastructure to AI models and cybersecurity safeguards. Industry consortia will be invited to submit proposals, outlining hardware origins, export targets, business models, and federal support requests.
A central element of the initiative is ensuring compliance with US export control regimes. Companies must align with the Export Control Reform Act and the Export Administration Regulations, with special attention to restrictions on advanced computing chips.
New guidance warns against potential violations linked to hardware and highlights red flags for illegal diversion of sensitive technology.
Commerce stresses that participation requires robust export compliance plans and rigorous end user screening.
Legal teams are urged to review policies on AI exports, as regulators focus on preventing misuse of advanced computing systems in military or weapons programmes abroad.
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