In an unprecedented case a former software engineer of Google allegedly mastered an elaborate, multi-year plan and successfully stole hundreds of AI and super- computing secrets from Google Cloud and then became CEO of AI startup in China.
Linwei Ding, also known as Leon is 38 years old was arrested at his residence in Newark Wednesday. He was charged with the four counts of theft of trade secrets in connection with an alleged plan to steal Google AI proprietary information.
Ding, secretly transferred trade secrets of Google and other relevant information to his personal account while affiliating himself with ‘AI companies that has headquartered in China.
The US Attorney General Merrick Garland said- “We allege the defendant stole AI trade secrets from Google while he was secretly working for two Chinese based companies. We will protect the sensitive technologies developed in America from falling into the hands of those who should not have them”.
Google hires Ding to develop software
Google hired Ding in 2019 to help develop software for its super computing data centers. These data centers host Google’s large AI models and machine learning workloads. Because of its work profile, Ding was granted access to the confidential information of Google’s hardware infrastructure, the software platform and AI models and applications they supported.
In May 2022, Ding began stealing information related to building of super- computing data centers by coping information into a personal Google cloud account.
The Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco gave a statement – “The defendant stole from Google over 500 confidential files that has AI trade secrets, while working for China- based companies that seek an edge in AI technology.”
Ding became CEO of his Chinese AI startup and seeks financial aid
In October 2022, Ding was named as chief technology officer for AI startup. In May 2023, he conducted investor meeting to raise capital for new company Shanghai Zhisuan Technology Co. and named himself as CEO.
The potential investors were told Ding was the chief technology officer of the company and that he owned 20% of the company’s stock. The company endorsed the development of software platform designed to accelerate machine learning workloads that include training large AI models.
Ding did not inform Google about his connections with these companies and also did not disclose his travel to China for investors meetings. He even applied to China based startup incubation program and traveled to Beijing to present the company at investor conferences last November.
Ding tries to hide his deeds
To hide his tracks Ding permitted other employees of Google to use his company –issued access badge to scan into the entrance to Google office. This made it look like he was working from his office in USA while he was in China raising money for his startup venture based on the stolen technology
He also allegedly copied data from the source files of Google into Apple Notes applications on his Google issued Macbook laptop. He converted Apple Notes to PDF files and uploaded them from Google network to his separate account. This enabled him to evade detection by Google’s data loss prevention systems.
If convicted Ding can face 10 years imprisonment
If convicted, Ding can face a maximum sentence of 10 years and up to a $250,000 fine for each account of theft. The Deputy Attorney General Monaco stated- “The Justice Department will relentlessly pursue and hold accountable those who would siphon disruptive technologies especially AI for unlawful export.”
The case is currently investigated by US commerce department and FBI while Google has not yet responded or commented on this matter.
