Bloomberg Tech US Plans to Grant Saudi Arabia More Access to AI Chips
May 13, 2025
Mike Shepard, Bloomberg editor specializing in tech and politics, joins the discussion on the U.S. granting Saudi Arabia access to advanced AI chips. They unpack Nvidia's pivotal role in the massive data center project in Riyadh and the implications for global tech dynamics. Shepard highlights the nuances of U.S.-Saudi relations as they explore evolving foreign policy on technology partnerships. The conversation also touches on the market's response to geopolitical shifts and the vision for Saudi Arabia’s tech future amidst these changes.
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Saudi AI Chip Access Shift
- Saudi Arabia is securing access to advanced AI chips like NVIDIA's Blackwell GPUs to expand its technology infrastructure.
- This access marks a policy shift from Biden-era rules towards tailored bilateral agreements to support AI ambitions securely.
Relaxed AI Chip Export Rules
- The Trump administration is rolling back strict Biden-era diffusion rules to ease AI chip exports to Saudi Arabia.
- It seeks security provisions in bilateral deals to prevent technology from reaching adversaries like China.
Bilateral Deals Guide Chip Access
- Countries seeking access to advanced AI chips should negotiate bilateral agreements reflecting their relationship and strategic needs.
- The U.S. aims to grant chip access to trusted allies while safeguarding against indirect Chinese acquisition.