In a landmark case underscoring the fierce global competition for technological supremacy, a former Google engineer has been convicted in the U.S. for a brazen scheme to steal thousands of the tech giant’s most guarded artificial intelligence (AI) trade secrets. Linwei Ding, also known as Leon Ding, 38, faces significant prison time after a federal jury found him guilty on seven counts of economic espionage and seven counts of theft of trade secrets.
The Betrayal of Silicon Valley’s AI Crown Jewels
The Department of Justice (DoJ) announced Thursday that Ding was convicted for pilfering over 2,000 confidential documents containing Google’s cutting-edge AI technology. This sophisticated intellectual property was intended to benefit the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and a startup he founded in China.
“Silicon Valley is at the forefront of artificial intelligence innovation, pioneering transformative work that drives economic growth and strengthens our national security,” stated U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian. “We will vigorously protect American intellectual capital from foreign interests that seek to gain an unfair competitive advantage while putting our national security at risk.”
What Was Stolen? The Core of Google’s AI Infrastructure
The stolen documents represent the very foundation of Google’s AI capabilities, detailing:
- The intricate architecture and functionality of Google’s custom Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) chips and systems, alongside its Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) systems.
- Proprietary software enabling these advanced chips to communicate seamlessly and execute complex tasks.
The sophisticated orchestration software that transforms thousands of individual chips into a unified supercomputer, capable of training and running groundbreaking AI workloads.
Custom-designed SmartNICs – specialized network interface cards crucial for high-speed communication within Google’s formidable AI supercomputers and cloud networking products.
These secrets are the blueprints for Google’s competitive edge in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, making their theft a severe blow to American innovation.
A Double Life: From Google Engineer to Chinese Startup CEO
Ding, who joined Google in 2019, began his illicit activities between May 2022 and April 2023. During this period, he secretly affiliated himself with two Chinese tech companies, ultimately founding his own startup, Shanghai Zhisuan Technologies Co., in 2023 – all while still employed by Google.
The DoJ revealed that by June 2022, Ding was already in discussions to become the Chief Technology Officer for an early-stage tech company in the PRC. By early 2023, he was actively establishing his own AI and machine learning firm in China, assuming the role of CEO.
In December 2023, less than two weeks before his resignation from Google, Ding downloaded the critical documents to his personal computer, completing his audacious data heist.
Elaborate Cover-Up Attempts
Prosecutors detailed Ding’s cunning efforts to conceal his actions:
- He copied sensitive data from Google source files into the Apple Notes application on his company-issued MacBook, then converted these notes to PDF files before uploading them to his personal Google account, attempting to obscure the data’s origin.
- In a direct act of deception, Ding allegedly asked a fellow Google employee to use their company access badge to scan into a Google building, creating the false impression that Ding was working from the office when he was, in fact, in China.
The elaborate scheme began to unravel in late 2023 when Google discovered that Ding had given a public presentation in China to potential investors, openly discussing his nascent startup.
Beyond Personal Gain: A National Security Concern
The investigation further revealed a deeper, more concerning motive. In February 2025, a superseding indictment charged Ding with economic espionage, highlighting his application to a Shanghai-based “talent” program sponsored by Beijing. These programs are known to encourage individuals engaged in research and development abroad to return to China and contribute to the nation’s economic and technological advancement.
“Ding’s application for this talent plan stated that he planned to ‘help China to have computing power infrastructure capabilities that are on par with the international level,'” the DoJ confirmed. “The evidence at trial also showed that Ding intended to benefit two entities controlled by the government of China by assisting with the development of an AI supercomputer and collaborating on the research and development of custom machine learning chips.”
This revelation elevates the case from corporate theft to a matter of national security, illustrating the strategic importance of AI technology in global power dynamics.
The Road Ahead: Sentencing and Implications
Linwei Ding is scheduled for a status conference on February 3, 2026. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each count of theft of trade secrets and 15 years for each count of economic espionage. The conviction sends a strong message regarding the severe consequences of intellectual property theft, particularly when it involves critical technologies and foreign interests.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the constant vigilance required to protect innovation and national security in an increasingly interconnected and competitive world.
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