While the limitations might not "halt AI advancements in Poland" in the short term, concerns have emerged regarding their potential long-term effects, said Dariusz Standerski during a discussion on Polish Radio on Wednesday.
He added that the restrictions, announced on Monday by the Biden administration, were intended to restrict the export of advanced AI chips to specific countries, including Poland.
By making this move, the outgoing American government seeks ways of hindering China and other countries from capitalising on tech cutting-edge technology.
Standerski said that the Polish embassy has sought clarification from the United States regarding the rationale behind Warsaw's classification in the second tier of a three-tier list of countries subject to or exempt from restrictions on acquiring American-made AI chips. Poland has been designated as one of the nations that will face limitations on the amount of US technology they can procure.
Later in the day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski said he had asked the foreign minister to immediately take steps regarding the decision taken by the US.
"The decision taken by the US Administration regarding exports of graphics processing units (GPU) (chips - PAP) is incomprehensible for us and is not based on any business-like premises," Gawkowski wrote on the X platform.
He also added that all EU countries should be treated in the same way in relations with the US.
"I have asked the foreign minister to take determined and urgent measures concerning this matter," Gawkowski said.
"The entire matter has never been the subject of any consultations with the Ministry of Digital Affairs," PAP was told by a ministry's press office.
Representatives of the ministry had already held talks on the subject with the European Commission. "I will ask Commissioner Henna Virkkunen to take determined actions," Gawkowski said.
Speaking to reporters later on Wednesday, Gawkowski said that the US had not informed Poland about its decision to introduce restrictions on chip exports.
"This is a bad signal for Poland as it shows that the US Administration does not understand that it has a loyal ally," he said.
"I am very surprised that the US Administration has presented a list ...with Poland on it," he continued, adding that "this is an unjustified and unwarrantable move."
Later on Wednesday, Jakub Wisniewski, a deputy foreign minister, held a conversation on US chip exports with US Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski, Pawel Wronski, a foreign ministry spokesman, told PAP.
Wronski added that the ministry had launched actions to explain the entire situation both in Poland and through its diplomatic representation in the US before Minister Gawkowski's appeal.
"Poland has expressed concern over the recent decisions taken by the US Administration. The US side has obliged itself to hold consultations with Poland, on both political and technical levels," the ministry wrote in a statement.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Polish Embassy in Washington are in contact with the Ministry of Digital Affairs and the US authorities, and will take more steps to solve the existing discrepancies concerning this matter," the ministry said.
This decision coincided with the announcement from the Polish government regarding investments in technology and innovation development worth billions of zlotys, with the aim of positioning Poland as a leader in AI technology.
Poland's response reflects broader apprehensions expressed by the European Commission concerning similar measures that affect certain EU member states and their businesses. (PAP)
yb/jch/at/mf