Chinese AI chip firms blacklisted over weapons concerns gained access to UK technology

Imagination Technologies had licences with two Chinese firms - but said it had not ‘implemented transactions’ that would enable to use of technology for military purposes

Chinese engineers developing chips for artificial intelligence that can be used in “advanced weapons systems” have gained access to cutting-edge UK technology, the Guardian can reveal.

Described by analysts as “China’s premier AI chip designers”, Moore Threads and Biren Technology are subject to US export restrictions over their development of chips that “can be used to provide artificial intelligence capabilities to further development of weapons of mass destruction, advanced weapons systems and hi-tech surveillance applications that create national security concerns”.