Huawei Showcases Laptop Powered by Intel AI Chips

Republican lawmakers in the US have criticized the Biden administration following the recent unveiling of a laptop by Huawei, the Chinese telecoms equipment giant, which is powered by an Intel artificial intelligence chip. Huawei was placed on a trade restriction list in 2019 for violating Iran sanctions, as part of a broader effort to limit Beijing's technological advancements. Being on this list requires Huawei's suppliers to obtain a special license before shipping to the company.

Since 2020, Intel has been permitted to ship central processors to Huawei for use in laptops under a license issued by the Trump administration. While some China hardliners had urged the Biden administration to revoke this license, it was expected to expire later this year without renewal.

Huawei's recent unveiling of its first AI-enabled laptop, the MateBook X Pro, powered by Intel's new Core Ultra 9 processor, has stirred criticism among these lawmakers. They perceive this as an indication that the US Commerce Department approved shipments of the new chip to Huawei.

Republican Congressman Michael Gallagher, who chairs the House of Representatives select committee on China, expressed his frustration, questioning why the Department of Commerce continues to permit US technology to be shipped to Huawei.

However, according to a source familiar with the matter, the chips were shipped under a pre-existing license and are not subject to recent restrictions on AI chip shipments to China.