Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, has voiced strong concerns regarding the export of advanced AI chips to China, describing it as a "massive national security risk." Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Amodei stated, "It would be a big mistake to ship these chips. I think this is crazy. It’s a bit like selling nuclear weapons to North Korea." His remarks were delivered to an audience comprising global leaders, CEOs, and policymakers.
These warnings come in the wake of President Donald Trump's decision, upon resuming office in 2025, to relax the U.S. ban on exporting high-end chips to China. The original ban was implemented to prevent Beijing from acquiring U.S. technology for its military AI development. The relaxation of these restrictions is set to allow Nvidia to resume selling its H200 processors, among the most powerful legally available for export, to Chinese buyers.
Trump Administration Eases Export Restrictions Amidst Fierce Chip Competition
The Nvidia H200 processor, though released over two years ago, remains one of the company's most potent AI chips permissible for export to China under current regulations. Newer, more advanced chip series from Nvidia, such as the Blackwell series and the upcoming Vera Rubin lineup, are still subject to export blocks due to national security considerations. However, the H200 is now available for sale.
Amodei had previously cautioned the Trump administration about the implications of AI chip exports. At last year's Davos forum, he expressed anxieties about potential "1984 scenarios, or worse," alluding to George Orwell's dystopian novel depicting pervasive surveillance and control. This year, his warning was more emphatic, highlighting that while China lags in high-level AI development, the chip embargo is the primary reason for this gap. Lifting the embargo, he argued, would accelerate China's progress.
While Amodei advocates for stringent export controls, Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, maintains an optimistic outlook. Huang anticipates a strong performance in 2026, citing significant deals with companies like Anthropic, robust demand from Chinese firms, and widespread global investment in AI. This positive outlook is already reflected in market expectations, with Nvidia's revenue projected to reach $321.2 billion this year, a 57% increase, and estimated to surpass $400 billion by 2027.
Competitor AMD is also seeking approval to export its MI325X chip to China, aiming to capitalize on the market before China develops its own domestic chip manufacturing capabilities. This situation aligns with Nvidia's own warning that restrictive policies might only delay, rather than prevent, China's eventual self-sufficiency in chip production.
Nvidia CFO Colette Kress noted at a JPMorgan event that demand extends beyond AI applications, with substantial spending on data processing. She indicated that global investment in advanced computing could reach multiple trillions by 2030, underscoring the immense scale of the market.