Hard Numbers: Malawi VP’s dead in plane crash, Swiss-hosted Ukraine peace summit, Gaza pier aid paused, Nvidia stock split, Snow in Alabama

A high-stakes race is underway to determine which country will supply the technology that powers the world’s emerging AI economy. While the US has the opportunity to lead, a last-minute Biden administration regulation – the AI DiffusionRule – risks undermining America’s ability to compete. By capping the export of essential AI components to key allies and partners, the rule could unintentionally push countries toward China’s rapidly expanding AI sector. @Microsoft supports strong national security protections, including ensuring AI technology is deployed in secure, trusted data centers. But the rule’s broad restrictions put vital markets – including Switzerland, Poland, Singapore, India, and Israel – at a disadvantage, limiting their access to American AI infrastructure and stalling economic growth. The Trump administration now has an opportunity to refine the rule – simplifying it, strengthening enforcement, and eliminating restrictions that hurt American innovation and exports. The race for AI dominance starts at home, and the US must empower its tech sector to compete on the global stage. Read the full blog to learn more here.

Microsoft has joined a growing revolt against Biden-era chip export controls that tech companies claim will hurt American competitiveness. On Feb. 27, Microsoft publicly urged the Trump administration to roll back one specific set of restrictions on advanced AI chips imposed during Biden’s final days in office.

Beijing is warning top artificial intelligence leaders – including researchers and corporate leaders – to avoid traveling to the United States owing to security concerns, according to a report published Saturday by the Wall Street Journal.