Tech war: US is reviewing risks of China’s use of open-source RISC-V chip technology

RISC-V, which can be used to build smartphone chips and advanced processors, is being used by major Chinese tech firms
The Commerce Department says it will tread carefully to avoid harming US companies that are part of international groups working on RISC-V

Semiconductors

Reuters

Published: 11:10am, 24 Apr 2024

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The US Department of Commerce is reviewing the national security implications of China’s work in open-source RISC-V chip technology, according to a letter sent to US lawmakers.

RISC-V, pronounced “risk five,” competes with proprietary technology from British semiconductor and software design company Arm Holdings. It can be used as a key part of anything from a smartphone chip to advanced processors for artificial intelligence.

The technology is being used by major Chinese tech firms such as Alibaba Group Holding and has become a new front in the strategic competition over advanced chip technology between the US and China.

In November, 18 US lawmakers from both houses of Congress pressed the Biden administration for its plans to prevent China “from achieving dominance in … RISC-V technology and leveraging that dominance at the expense of US national and economic security”.

In a letter last week to the lawmakers that was seen by Reuters on Tuesday, the Commerce Department said it is “working to review potential risks and assess whether there are appropriate actions under Commerce authorities that could effectively address any potential concerns”.

But the Commerce Department also noted that it would need to tread carefully to avoid harming US companies that are part of international groups working on RISC-V technology.

Previous controls on transferring 5G technology to China created roadblocks for US firms working in international standards bodies where China was also a participant, risking US leadership in the field.