US-China competition: AI, chips and export controls — where to next?

As US-China technology competition intensifies, governments across the world are keeping a tighter grip on the advanced semiconductor chips, AI models, and investments that underpin AI. This is complicated by the fact that the private sector — not government — is at the cutting edge of AI and associated technology innovations. With emerging technology now considered central to national security, both government and the private sector must find new ways to coordinate and collaborate.

What impact will the new Trump administration have on US-China competition? Are the controls around semiconductor chips and AI models a sustainable approach? How can governments coordinate their export controls, investment screening and other regulation efforts? Will we gradually see international alignment on these issues – what are the current barriers?

To unpack these questions, the United States Studies Centre brought together an esteemed panel:

• Kevin J. Wolf is Partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) under the first and second Obama administrations (2010–17). Kevin has more than 30 years of experience advising on export controls, sanctions and other international trade issues, with particular knowledge across the US’ Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and regulations administered by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Kevin J. Wolf’s trip to Australia is made possible by the generous support of the US Department of State.
• Dr Alan Dupont AO is founder and CEO of geopolitical risk consultancy the Cognoscenti Group. He is also Defence and National Security Advocate for the Northern Territory Government. One of Australia’s best-known strategists he has an international reputation for his expertise on geopolitical risk, defence and national security having worked extensively at the interface of security, politics, business and technology in government, the private sector and academia. 

Moderating the discussion was Hayley Channer, the Director of the Economic Security Program with the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. Hayley has a diverse background having worked as an Australian Government official, Ministerial adviser, think tank analyst, and represented global non-profit organisations.