Former Google employee accused of stealing AI technology and working with Chinese companies

What do you want to know

• The former Google employee was charged today with stealing AI technology and secretly transferring confidential files to his personal Google account.
• Linwei Ding was charged with four counts of theft of federal trade secrets, each punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
• Google said in a statement that it discovered that this employee had stolen numerous documents and immediately contacted the FBI.

A former Google employee was indicted on Wednesday (March 6) for stealing Google’s artificial intelligence technology and also secretly working with two Chinese companies, Associated Press reported.

The report states that Linwei Ding, 38, is a Chinese national who was arrested in Newark, California. Ding was charged with four counts of theft of federal trade secrets, each of which carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

“Today’s charges are the latest illustration of efforts by affiliates of companies based in the People’s Republic of China to steal American innovation,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement.

THE charge, revealed Wednesday, alleges that Ding, who was hired by Google in 2019, had responsibilities that included developing software deployed in Google’s supercomputing data centers. With access to this information, Ding began transferring sensitive Google trade secrets and other confidential information to his personal Google Cloud two years ago.

“Ding continued periodic downloads until May 2, 2023, at which time Ding allegedly downloaded more than 500 unique files containing confidential information,” the U.S. Department of Justice said. declared.

“The theft of innovative technologies and trade secrets from American companies can cost jobs and have devastating consequences for the economy and national security,” Wray added.

Following the theft, prosecutors say Ding was offered a position as chief technology officer at an AI startup in China and attended investor meetings for that company.

The report also claims that Ding founded and served as chief executive of a China-based startup aimed at training AI models powered by supercomputing chips.

“After an investigation, we discovered that this employee had stolen numerous documents and we quickly brought the matter to law enforcement,” a Google spokesperson told Android Central in a statement. “We are grateful to the FBI for helping to protect our information and will continue to cooperate closely with them.”

The spokesperson added that Google has “strict safeguards” to prevent the theft of its confidential business information and trade secrets.

If convicted, Ding faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count.