Anthropic, a US-based AI company, has expressed strong support for the US Department of Commerce's proposed framework for artificial intelligence chip export controls, aimed at bolstering national security and maintaining the country's dominance in AI. In a blog post released on Wednesday, Anthropic endorsed the framework, which is set to take effect on May 15, while suggesting a few key adjustments to the proposed restrictions.

The framework, announced by the Biden administration in January, categorizes countries into three tiers, each with its own set of guidelines and restrictions. Tier 3 countries, including Russia and China, would face additional restrictions, while Tier 2 countries, such as Mexico and Portugal, would be subject to export restrictions for the first time, with a cap on the number of chips they can purchase. Tier 1 countries, including Japan and South Korea, would continue without export restrictions.

Anthropic's support for the framework comes as a stark contrast to the criticism from semiconductor giant Nvidia, which called the proposed restrictions "unprecedented and misguided" and warned that they would "derail" innovation worldwide. However, Anthropic's CEO Dario Amodei has been a vocal proponent of stronger chip export controls, having written an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal in January arguing in favor of stricter regulations.

In its blog post, Anthropic proposed two key adjustments to the framework. Firstly, the company suggested lowering the number of chips that Tier 2 countries can purchase without review, and instead encouraging these countries to buy more chips through government-to-government agreements. This, Anthropic argues, would help prevent smuggling and increase US control over the export of AI chips. Secondly, the company called for increased funding to ensure that the export controls are properly enforced.

Anthropic's support for the framework and its proposed adjustments are likely to be seen as a significant endorsement of the US government's efforts to regulate the export of AI chips. The company's suggestions may also be seen as a pragmatic approach to balancing national security concerns with the need to promote innovation and collaboration in the AI sector.

The implementation of the framework is likely to have significant implications for the global AI industry, with potential impacts on the supply chain, trade relationships, and the development of AI technologies. As the US government moves forward with the framework, it will be important to monitor its effects and consider the perspectives of various stakeholders, including industry leaders, policymakers, and experts in the field.

TechCrunch has reached out to Anthropic for further information on its position and will provide updates as more details become available.