Google engineer accused of leaking AI technology to Chinese

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A former Google engineer has been detained on charges of spying and leaking trade secrets related to the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) technology and secretly collaborating with two Chinese companies.

Linwei Ding, 38, a Chinese national, was arrested on Wednesday (6) in Newark, California, and faces four federal charges of theft of trade secrets, each punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The complaint alleges that Ding, hired by Google in 2019 to develop software for the company’s supercomputing data centers, began transferring sensitive trade secrets and confidential information to his personal Google Cloud account in 2021.

“According to authorities, Ding continued making periodic uploads until May 2, 2023, when he allegedly uploaded more than 500 unique files containing confidential information,” the US Department of Justice said in a statement.

Prosecutors claim that after stealing the trade secrets, Ding took a role as chief technology officer at a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup and attended investor meetings for that company. Additionally, Ding is accused of founding and serving as CEO of a startup in China focused on training AI models using supercomputing chips.

“These charges illustrate the lengths to which affiliates of companies based in the People’s Republic of China are willing to go to obtain American innovation,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The theft of innovative technology and trade secrets from American companies could result in job losses and have devastating economic and national security consequences.”

If convicted on all charges, Ding faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.

This case highlights ongoing tensions between the US and China over intellectual property theft and the race to lead emerging technologies such as AI.

Crisis and espionage between the US and China

In addition to the recent case involving the former Google engineer, there are a number of other disputes and tensions in the field of high technology between the United States and China.

One of the most prominent issues is the trade war between the two countries, which has included a series of punitive measures and tariffs on technology imports. This has directly impacted companies on both sides, such as Huawei, which has faced significant restrictions on its operations in the US and other Western countries.

Additionally, concerns about cybersecurity and industrial espionage have been a constant source of tension. The United States has repeatedly accused China of engaging in cyberattacks and intellectual property theft, while China denies these accusations and claims to be the victim of a smear campaign.

The race to master emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and 5G, has also increased tensions between the two countries. Both are investing billions of dollars in research and development in these areas, with the aim of establishing global leadership and securing strategic advantages in key areas of the economy and national security.

However, these disputes are not just limited to the field of technology. They have broader ramifications and can affect international trade, geopolitics and even global economic stability. As a result, the relationship between the United States and China remains one of the most pressing and complex issues in contemporary international politics.