Artificial intelligence: the United States is reshaping export control rules

Access to U.S. artificial intelligence technologies was already tightly controlled. With the launch of the American AI Exports Program, the United States is taking a further step by significantly reshaping its approach to export control.

The Department of Commerce is no longer limited to issuing licenses. It is now adopting a more proactive role by selecting strategic partners. The program includes priority review of license applications, facilitated access to certain federal funding, and direct government support in international markets.

This evolution reflects a broader shift in the nature of export control. Traditionally used as a restriction tool, it is increasingly becoming a lever of influence. U.S. authorities are not only limiting access to sensitive technologies but also actively shaping how and to whom these technologies are distributed.

For companies, this development raises new challenges. The criteria used to select partners remain largely opaque and may evolve rapidly. What is considered strategically aligned with U.S. interests can change without prior notice, making the regulatory environment more uncertain.

In this context, compliance teams can no longer rely solely on control lists and formal requirements. They must also consider broader industrial and geopolitical dynamics that influence regulatory decisions.

Export control is therefore becoming a hybrid tool, at the intersection of regulation and industrial policy. For technology companies, anticipating these developments is essential to secure access to critical technologies and manage compliance risks.