(Reuters) – The U.S. Department of Commerce is reviewing the national security implications of China's efforts in open source RISC-V chip technology, according to a letter sent to U.S. lawmakers.
RISC-V, pronounced “risk five,” competes with proprietary technology from British semiconductor and software design company Arm Holdings. They can be used as key components in everything from smartphone chips to advanced processors for artificial intelligence.
The technology is used by major Chinese tech companies such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., and has become a new front in the strategic competition for advanced chip technology between the United States and China.
In November, 18 U.S. House and Senate members announced a plan to prevent China from “gaining and exploiting an advantage in RISC-V technology at the expense of U.S. national and economic security.” pressed the Biden administration.
In a letter last week to lawmakers seen by Reuters on Tuesday, the Commerce Department said it had “considered the potential risks and whether there are appropriate measures under the Commerce Authority that could effectively address the potential concerns.” We are working on evaluating it.”
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However, the Commerce Department also noted the need to tread carefully to avoid harming U.S. companies that are part of an international group working on RISC-V technology. Previous restrictions on the transfer of 5G technology to China created obstacles for U.S. companies working in international standards bodies, of which China was a member, and jeopardized U.S. leadership in the field.
(Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters.
