A former Google software engineer, Linwei Ding, has been charged by US authorities with stealing trade secrets related to artificial intelligence (AI) while secretly working for two Chinese companies. Linwei Ding, a Chinese national, was indicted in California on four charges and arrested on Wednesday.
Court documents state that Ding, a Chinese national in Newark, CA, stole 500+ confidential files, including Google’s AI trade secrets. Which are used to host and train large AI models. He faces up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines on each count if convicted.
Prosecutors claim that Ding was offered a monthly salary of $14,800 to serve as the Chief Technology Officer for Beijing Rongshu Lianzhi Technology, a Chinese start-up tech company. Additionally, he is alleged to have started his tech firm, Shanghai Zhisuan Technology, focused on AI and machine learning, and made himself the CEO.
Officials also reviewed surveillance footage showing that another employee had scanned Ding’s access badge at the Google building in the U.S. where he worked to make it look like Ding was there during times when he was actually in China, the indictment says.
Google suspended Ding’s network access, locked his laptop, and discovered his unauthorized uploads while searching his network activity history.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that Ding was seeking to enrich himself by working for companies “seeking an edge in the AI technology race.” Garland emphasized that the Justice Department will not tolerate the theft of advanced technologies that could put national security at risk.
The case highlights the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China, with both countries attempting to gain a competitive edge in emerging technologies. Trade relations have worsened under the Biden administration, with new barriers and restrictions imposed on trade, including computer chip exports.
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