BIS publishes bold new artificial intelligence diffusion framework
A BIS interim rule expands worldwide controls on advanced chips and certain closed AI model weights through licensing rules and new exceptions.
Summary
BIS issued an interim export-control framework covering advanced computing chips and certain closed-weight AI models. The rule creates a worldwide licensing requirement for covered chips and for model weights trained above a stated compute threshold, while excluding open-weight models from the new model-weight control. Its licensing structure groups destinations into three tiers and uses country processing-power allocations for many Tier 2 transactions. New and revised license exceptions address authorized AI uses, manufacturing, lower levels of computing power and other transactions. The framework took effect on January 13, 2025, with public comments and general compliance due by May 15, 2025.