In a startling development, a Google employee, Linwei Ding, also known as Leon Ding, has been charged with four counts of stealing artificial intelligence trade secrets from the tech giant. The charges allege Ding’s collaboration with two Chinese-based companies in the AI industry while surreptitiously copying over 500 files with confidential information from Google into his personal account.
The 38-year-old Chinese national, residing in California, is accused of pilfering technology related to the foundation of Google’s advanced supercomputing data centers. Prosecutors claim that Ding, part of Google’s supercomputing data center development team, had access to critical aspects like the hardware infrastructure, software platform, and AI models.
According to the Justice Department, Ding’s actions spanned over a year, starting in 2022, during which he allegedly concealed his activities in China. He reportedly took steps to maintain secrecy, including having another employee use his badge to access his office, creating an illusion that he was still in the United States.
In the aftermath of copying Google’s files, Ding was offered the role of chief technology officer for an early-stage tech company in China. During his stay in China, he engaged in investor meetings to raise funds, with potential investors informed that Ding owned 20% of the company’s stock.
Subsequently, Ding founded his own technology company in the AI and machine learning industry. The company applied to a Chinese-based startup program, emphasizing their experience with Google’s computational power platform and their intention to develop a platform tailored to China’s national conditions.
Google conducted a thorough investigation into Ding’s alleged misconduct and promptly referred the case to the FBI. Despite being a junior employee, Ding’s actions prompted Google to enhance its safeguards against the theft of confidential information. Google spokesperson José Castañeda assured that the company has strict measures in place and expressed gratitude to the FBI for their collaboration in protecting their information.
The Justice Department’s charges against Ding carry a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison for each count. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that the government would vigorously protect sensitive technologies developed in America from falling into the wrong hands. As the case unfolds, the tech industry closely watches the implications of this breach on AI and trade secrets protection.
