Tech executives in Japan have warned that the latest US chip export controls are unlikely to suppress China’s progress in artificial intelligence and super computers, calling into question the long-term effectiveness of the sanctions.
The warnings from Sony’s chief technology officer and NEC’s chief executive come as Washington tries to convince the Netherlands and Japan, both big players in the global chipmaking industry, to strike a trilateral deal that would impose further restrictions on China obtaining tools to make chips.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Sony technology head Hiroaki Kitano said he expected the US-led sanctions to “temporarily impact” China’s ability to procure semiconductors but added it was “entirely possible” that its global presence in AI would continue to increase.