As much of the world goes all-in on building out artificial intelligence ("AI") infrastructure, companies continue to navigate strict U.S. export controls over the advanced semiconductors and computing items that power AI.
Any company looking to set up or supply an AI data center must take into account these export controls, which can make or break a project based on the level of access to advanced chips they permit.
There have been significant twists and turns in this area of late, including:
- the Trump Administration's announcement that it would no longer enforce the Biden Administration's "AI Diffusion Rule";
- a patchwork of targeted changes regarding China's access to advanced chips;
- a significant upgrade in the export control status of the United Arab Emirates; and
- challenges associated with Chinese and other restricted parties remotely accessing computing power in third-country data centers.
This article will describe the current lay of the land under the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR") as administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security ("BIS"), cover the most recent notable developments, and provide tips for companies.
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"What's the Latest with Semiconductor Export Controls?" by Anthony Rapa was published in Reuters Legal and Westlaw Today on September 23, 2026.