Anthropic has voiced strong backing for the U.S. government’s proposed restrictions on exports of domestically manufactured artificial intelligence chips, describing the measures as critical for maintaining American leadership in the global AI race against China. In anticipation of the interim rules set to be implemented on May 15, the company released a detailed statement suggesting specific adjustments aimed at enhancing the efficacy and enforcement of the controls.
The forthcoming restrictions stem from a policy framework introduced in January by outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration. Known as the “Framework for Artificial Intelligence Diffusion,” the initiative classifies countries into three distinct tiers, each subject to varying degrees of AI-chip purchase restrictions. Tier 3 nations, including China and Russia, face the most stringent controls, expanding upon measures already in place. Tier 2 countries—such as Mexico and Portugal—will undergo newly implemented restrictions, primarily through a purchasing cap. Tier 1 countries, including strategic partners like Japan and South Korea, will continue to operate free from significant export constraints.
Despite opposition from industry leader Nvidia—which criticized the rules as “unprecedented and misguided,” warning that stringent controls risk stifling global innovation—Anthropic aligns with the government’s broader objectives. However, the firm suggested several key adjustments designed to improve security and compliance. Specifically, it recommended reducing the threshold at which Tier 2 countries can acquire chips without regulatory scrutiny. Instead, Anthropic advocates using government-level agreements to manage larger acquisitions, a measure it believes could reduce smuggling risks and enhance U.S. oversight.
Additionally, Anthropic proposed that the federal government substantially increase funding dedicated to enforcing compliance with these export regulations, underscoring the necessity of robust oversight mechanisms in safeguarding national security interests.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei is notably outspoken in support of tightening AI-chip exports. Earlier this year, he emphasized the necessity of enhanced controls, warning in a prominent opinion piece that inadequate restrictions could erode America’s technological edge over China in artificial intelligence development.
