WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department revealed on Wednesday that a former Google software engineer faces charges for allegedly stealing trade secrets related to artificial intelligence while collaborating with two Chinese companies. Linwei Ding, a Chinese national, was apprehended in Newark, California, and is accused of four counts of federal trade secret theft, each carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
The announcement, made by Attorney General Merrick Garland at an American Bar Association Conference in San Francisco, underscores the ongoing concern regarding Chinese economic espionage and the national security risks associated with advancements in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized the detrimental impact of stealing innovative technology and trade secrets from American companies, citing potential job losses and severe economic and national security repercussions. Google confirmed that Ding had illicitly taken “numerous documents” and promptly reported the incident to law enforcement, expressing gratitude for the FBI’s assistance in safeguarding their information.
The battleground for technological supremacy primarily centers around artificial intelligence, with significant commercial and security implications at stake. Recent warnings from Justice Department officials have highlighted the potential misuse of AI technologies by foreign adversaries to undermine the United States.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco outlined the administration’s commitment to prioritizing AI enforcement through the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, while Wray cautioned about the susceptibility of emerging technologies to foreign interference in the American political landscape.
Garland underscored the dual nature of AI, acknowledging its vast potential alongside inherent risks. He emphasized the Justice Department’s role in safeguarding America’s leadership in AI development.
An indictment unsealed in the Northern District of California alleges that Ding, employed by Google since 2019 with access to confidential data on the company’s supercomputing centers, began transferring hundreds of files to a personal Google Cloud account two years ago.
Shortly after the theft commenced, Ding allegedly accepted the role of chief technology officer at a Chinese tech startup specializing in AI, offering a lucrative salary package. Additionally, he founded a startup in China focused on training large AI models using supercomputing chips.
Ding, described by Google as a junior employee, resigned in December, following which it was discovered that he had misrepresented himself as the CEO of one of the Chinese companies at an investor conference in Beijing. Surveillance footage also revealed attempts to deceive Google about his presence in the office while he was actually in China.
Following these revelations, Google suspended Ding’s network access and seized his electronic devices through FBI search warrants. The investigation uncovered over 500 confidential files allegedly stolen from Google in Ding’s personal accounts.
At present, it remains unclear whether Ding, aged 38, has legal representation to address the charges against him.
