USA limita l’accesso della Svizzera alle patatine AI | La Svizzera è esclusa dagli Stati Uniti dai paesi alleati per un accesso illimitato ai chip richiesti per l’intelligenza artificiale.

Translation:

>The USA recently changed the rules for the export of products related to artificial intelligence. Only countries that are considered allies are now allowed to access these computer chips. And Switzerland is not one of them.

>Only 18 countries are considered trustworthy allies in the USA, including France, Germany and Japan. According to Washington, these nations are worthy of unrestricted access to these very powerful computer chips, which are manufactured exclusively by US companies.

>This new regulation will come into force in four months. After that, Switzerland will still be able to import these chips, but will be subject to a limited quota in the coming years.

>__Switzerland’s dependence__

>Experts are already expressing their concerns, as these chips are used extensively in academic research as well as by many companies.

>These technologies are already present in many areas and will be omnipresent in the coming months to years, says Olga Baranova on RTS television in western Switzerland. She is Secretary General of the CH++ association, a citizens’ lobby to strengthen scientific and technological expertise in politics.

>Baranova also points out that the USA largely dominates the market, which makes alternative supply difficult.

>__Blocking rival countries__

>It is not entirely clear why Switzerland is not one of the allied countries. The official US Department of Commerce document lists those countries that they trust to protect their technology and have no restrictions. However, no individual declarations were made regarding the excluded countries.

>Nevertheless, it seems clear that the main aim of this regulation is to prevent rival countries, particularly China, from gaining access to this cutting-edge technology. The US is not only trying to curb exports, but also to prevent Chinese companies from circumventing the restrictions by setting up subsidiaries abroad.

>Olga Baranova is therefore calling on the Swiss government to show the US that Switzerland fulfils the criteria to be considered a trustworthy partner. “It is clearly up to Switzerland to demonstrate its reliability and provide the US with additional guarantees.”

>The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) is currently analysing the document and its potential impact on companies and research institutions. According to Seco, discussions have already begun with the US authorities to ensure that this regulation does not hinder research or innovation in Switzerland.

>>__Infobox:__
>>__Guy Parmelin wants to “overturn” US decision__
>>Economics Minister Guy Parmelin criticises the US decision to the NZZ am Sonntag and confirms that initial contacts have taken place with the US on the subject. Attempts are being made to overturn the US decision. “My goal is for Switzerland to be included in the group of countries with unrestricted access to modern computer chips from the USA,” Parmelin told the newspaper. Otherwise it would be complicated. Switzerland could then continue to receive modern computer chips, but imports would be limited.

>Seco also points out that Switzerland is home to US companies and their research centres that make heavy use of these chips, such as Google.

Sorry but what specific chips for AI are they talking about? GPUs for training or NPUs for running AI?
TBH I am not really too worried about the AI bubble affecting Switzerland. And preventing people from falling for it is not the worst idea.