Ex-Google Engineer Charged for Stealing AI Trade Secrets to Benefit China

Former Google Engineer Faces Serious Espionage Charges

A former Google software engineer has been charged with stealing highly sensitive artificial intelligence (AI) technology, allegedly to benefit two Chinese companies.

Ding Linwei, a 38-year-old Chinese national, faces a 14-count indictment after being accused of using his position at Google to steal trade secrets related to AI infrastructure and software.

These actions reportedly took place while he secretly collaborated with Chinese tech firms.

Alleged Theft of Critical AI Technology

Ding, who joined Google in 2019, allegedly began his theft of confidential files in 2022.

Between May 2022 and May 2023, he is said to have uploaded over 1,000 files from Google’s network to his personal Google Cloud account.

The stolen data reportedly includes blueprints and technical details of Google’s AI hardware and software systems.

These systems enable Google’s supercomputing data centres to train large AI models.

Ding Linwei's Linkedin profile

The stolen information includes trade secrets about Google’s Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) chips, Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) systems, and the software orchestrating them, as well as Google’s SmartNIC cards used to enhance cloud networking products.

Links to Chinese Technology Firms and Espionage Allegations

Prosecutors allege that Ding was secretly working for two Chinese companies while still employed at Google.

In June 2022, Ding is said to have been in talks to become the Chief Technology Officer for a Chinese start-up.

By May 2023, he had founded his own AI-focused technology company in China, acting as its CEO.

It is claimed that Ding’s activities were intended to benefit the Chinese government, with the stolen technology potentially strengthening China’s AI industry.

Ding plans to replicate and upgrade Google's 10,000-card-level computing power platform to create a computing power platform suited to China’s conditions.

Ding reportedly circulated a PowerPoint presentation within his company, highlighting China's policies supporting the domestic development of AI.

The presentation included his application for a Chinese talent program, which offers rewards like salaries, research funding, and lab space in exchange for valuable technological knowledge.

In his application, Ding stated that his company’s product “will help China to have computing power infrastructure capabilities that are on par with the international level.”

Charges and Potential Penalties

The grand jury returned an updated indictment, which includes seven counts of economic espionage and seven counts of theft of trade secrets.

If convicted, Ding could face severe penalties, including up to 15 years in prison and a $5 million fine for each economic espionage count.

The theft charges carry a maximum 10-year sentence and a $250,000 fine for each count.

The case is being investigated by the FBI as part of a broader initiative to prevent sensitive technology from falling into the hands of foreign governments that could threaten national security.

Google's Cooperation and Legal Proceedings

Google itself has not been charged in connection with the case and has stated that it fully cooperated with law enforcement during the investigation.

Ding was first indicted in March 2024 on four counts of theft of trade secrets.

A potential resolution was discussed in a December 2024 hearing, but legal experts expect the case to proceed to trial.

As Ding is free on bond, the legal process will continue to unfold in the coming months.