Former Google AI Engineer Arrested for Allegedly Stealing Advanced Technologies for China
In a shocking turn of events, a former Google AI engineer has been arrested by the Justice Department for allegedly stealing information about the company’s advanced technologies with the intention of setting up his own company in China. The engineer, Leon Ding, also known as Linwei Ding, is a 38-year-old Chinese national who was apprehended in Newark, California. He has been charged with four counts of trade secret theft.
This arrest serves as a clear signal that the U.S. government will not tolerate any attempts to illicitly transfer advanced U.S. technologies to China, especially in the midst of a Cold War-like technological arms race between Washington and Beijing. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the importance of protecting national security, stating, “The Justice Department will not tolerate the theft of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies that could put our national security at risk.”
If convicted, Ding could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and up to $1 million in fines. The indictment filed against him reveals that Ding was hired by Google as a software engineer in 2019 and was involved in developing software for the company’s supercomputing data centers. He played a crucial role in the operation of machine learning and AI applications for Google’s clients.
According to prosecutors, Ding began uploading confidential Google information to his personal Google Cloud account in May 2022. By May 2023, he had already uploaded over 500 files. The trade secret theft counts involve chip architecture and software design specifications for “tensor processing units” and “graphics processing units,” which are essential components of supercomputing centers.
What makes this case even more alarming is that while still employed at Google, Ding became the chief technology officer of Beijing Rongshu Lianzhi Technology, an AI company based in China. He also founded another China-based company called Shanghai Zhisuan Technology, all without informing Google. This raises serious concerns about the potential transfer of sensitive U.S. technology to China.
The FBI conducted a search of Ding’s residence on January 6, seizing his electronic devices and other evidence. Assistant Secretary Matthew Axelrod of the Commerce Department’s Office for Export Enforcement issued a stern warning, stating, “Let today’s announcement serve as further warning: Those who would transfer sensitive U.S. technology to China risk finding themselves on the wrong end of a criminal indictment.”
This investigation into Ding was carried out by the Justice and Commerce departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force, a specialized group established to safeguard U.S. technologies from falling into the hands of “authoritarian regimes and hostile nation-states.” Both the U.S. and Chinese governments recognize the strategic importance of artificial intelligence and its potential to boost economic output and provide military and intelligence capabilities. President Biden has even issued an executive order aimed at keeping the United States ahead of countries like China in AI development.
As for Google, the company has taken this matter seriously and has referred the case to federal officials. Google spokesperson José Castañeda emphasized their commitment to protecting confidential commercial information and trade secrets, stating, “We have strict safeguards in place to prevent the theft of our confidential commercial information. After conducting an investigation, we found that this employee stole numerous documents, and we quickly referred the case to law enforcement.”
The arrest of Leon Ding serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle between the United States and China in the realm of advanced technologies. It highlights the importance of safeguarding intellectual property and preventing unauthorized transfers that could potentially compromise national security. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the future of AI development and the protection of trade secrets.
