US mulls new curbs on China’s access to AI memory chips, Bloomberg News says

(Reuters) – The U.S. is considering unilateral restrictions on China’s access to AI memory chips such as those made by Micron Technology (NASDAQ:) and South Korea’s SK Hynix and equipment capable of making such semiconductors, as soon as next month, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.

The measures are meant to prevent Micron, SK Hynix and Samsung (KS:) from suppling Chinese firms with high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips that are essential in helping run complex generative artificial intelligence programs, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.

If enacted, the new rule would capture HBM2 and more advanced chips including HBM3 and HBM3E, as well as the tools required to make them, the report said.