THE US Biden administration is considering further restrictions on China's access to chip technology used for artificial intelligence, targeting new hardware that's only now on the market, reports Bloomberg.

People familiar with the matter say measures being discussed would limit China's ability to use a cutting-edge chip architecture known as gate all-around, or GAA. GAA promises to make semiconductors more powerful and is currently being introduced by chipmakers.

It's unclear when officials will make a final decision, the people said, emphasizing that they're still determining the scope of a potential rule.

The US goal is to make it harder for China to assemble the sophisticated computing systems needed to build and operate AI models, they said - and to cordon off still-nascent technology before it's commercialized.

Companies such as Nvidia Corp, Intel Corp and Advanced Micro Devices - along with manufacturing partners Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and Samsung Electronics - are looking to start mass-producing semiconductors with the GAA design within the next year.

The US has already imposed numerous restrictions on the sale of advanced semiconductors and chipmaking tools to China.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has repeatedly said the US will add to those measures as needed to keep the most advanced AI technology out of Beijing�� hands, over fears that it could give an edge to China's military.