Former Google engineer is a spy! Accused of stealing US AI technology for China, facing at least decades in prison

Former Google Engineer Linwei Ding Convicted on 14 Counts for Stealing Over 2,000 Pages of AI Core Technology Files to Benefit China

The U.S. Department of Justice announced recently that a former Google software engineer suspected of stealing U.S. AI technology to benefit China was found guilty in a verdict last Thursday, setting a record as the first conviction in the U.S. for AI-related economic espionage.

The former engineer, named Linwei Ding (phonetic translation, also known as Leon Ding), was charged by prosecutors with seven counts of economic espionage and seven counts of theft of trade secrets, with all 14 charges fully upheld.

Roman Rozhavsky, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division, stated that in the high-stakes race for dominance in the AI field, Ding Wei Ding betrayed the United States and his employer for the interests of the Chinese government.

Image Source: U.S. Department of Justice Former Google Engineer Steals U.S. AI Technology for China, 14 Counts Fully Convicted

First AI Economic Espionage Conviction in the U.S.: Revealing Ding Wei Ding’s Connection to Chinese Companies

According to prosecutors, Ding Wei Ding joined Google in 2019, responsible for software development at supercomputing data centers. Between May 2022 and April 2023, he uploaded over 2,000 pages of files related to Google’s confidential technology to his personal Google Cloud account without authorization from the company.

The stolen information includes proprietary hardware and software system data, specifically involving Google’s customized Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) chip architecture, Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) systems, and SmartNIC network interface card technology used to facilitate high-speed communication for AI supercomputers.

The Department of Justice further pointed out that while stealing these secrets, Ding Wei Ding also secretly established relationships with two Chinese tech companies.

In June 2022, he discussed taking on the role of CTO at a Chinese tech startup, and in early 2023, he started his own AI company in China, serving as CEO. During investor presentations, he claimed to have the ability to build AI supercomputers by copying and modifying Google’s technology.

Image Source: Google Blog Ding Wei Ding claimed during investor presentations that he could build AI supercomputers by copying and modifying Google’s technology.

Defense Claims Google’s Open Security Approach, Not Convincing

Regarding this verdict, Google Vice President of Legal Affairs Lee-Anne Mulholland expressed gratitude to the jury for delivering justice, stating that the ruling sends a clear message that stealing trade secrets will lead to serious consequences.

However, Ding Wei Ding’s defense attorney, Grant Fondo, argued during the trial that Google failed to adequately protect these files, claiming that the data was accessible to thousands of employees, indicating Google chose “openness” over “security,” and asserting that Ding Wei Ding never actually sold or used the information. Nonetheless, the jury ultimately did not accept the defense’s arguments and found all charges guilty.

Ding Wei Ding Faces at Least Decades in Prison

According to sentencing guidelines published by the Department of Justice, Ding Wei Ding could face up to 10 years in prison for each count of violating Title 18 of the U.S. Code § 1832 for theft of trade secrets, and up to 15 years for each count of economic espionage under Title 18 § 1831.

U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria has ruled that Ding Wei Ding may be released pending sentencing, with a subsequent hearing scheduled for February 3, 2026.

U.S. Northern District of California U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian stated that acts of stealing high-value technology will be met with legal sanctions, and the U.S. is committed to protecting intellectual capital from foreign threats.

FBI San Francisco Special Agent Sanjay Virmani also reiterated in a statement that stealing advanced AI technology to benefit the People’s Republic of China threatens U.S. technological advantage and economic competitiveness.

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