The Trump administration took measures on Friday to crimp exports of artificial intelligence software as part of a bid to keep sensitive technologies out of the hands of rival powers like China.

Under a new rule which goes into effect on Monday, companies that export certain types of geospatial imagery software from the United States must apply for a license to send it overseas except when it is being shipped to Canada.

"They want to keep American companies from helping the Chinese make better AI products that can help their military," said James Lewis, a technology expert with the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank.