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Former Google engineer indicted for stealing AI secrets to aid Chinese firms

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A former Google software engineer was indicted in California on Tuesday on charges of stealing trade secrets related to artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that he took to benefit a pair of companies based in the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Linwei Ding, also known as Leon Ding, was charged with four counts of trade secret theft for transferring Google’s trade secrets and other confidential information to Chinese companies. Ding, 38, began working for Google in 2019 and worked on the tech giant’s supercomputing data centers developing software that allowed graphics processing units (GPUs) to function efficiently for machine learning, AI applications or other purposes required by Google or its clients.

According to the indictment, Ding uploaded over 500 unique files containing Google’s confidential information, including trade secrets, into a personal Google cloud account between May 2022 and May 2023. Ding exfiltrated these files by copying data from Google source files in Apple Notes on his company-issued laptop, and then converting those notes into PDF files and uploading them from Google’s network to evade detection.

Less than a month after his unauthorized upload activity started, Ding was offered a CTO job with a Chinese company known as Rongshu for $14,800 a month plus a bonus and stock. Rongshu’s business aimed to develop software to accelerate machine learning on GPU chips and trained AI models.

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Former Google engineer Linwei Ding allegedly stole over 500 confidential Google documents that included trade secrets to aid Chinese AI companies. (LIU JIN/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Ding also founded a company called Zhisuan that proposed to develop a cluster management system to accelerate machine learning workloads and training large AI models powered by supercomputing chips, according to the indictment. 

The company received funding from a PRC-based startup incubator and touted its ability to replicate and improve upon Google’s platform to “develop a computational power platform suited to China’s national condition.”

Google detected Ding’s upload activity while he was in China in December 2023, and on Dec. 8 he told an investigator from the company that he wanted to use the information as evidence of his work at Google and signed an affidavit that he would delete any sensitive Google data in his possession.

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China Xi Jinping

The Chinese Communist Party and China-based companies have sought to prioritize AI to boost the country’s tech sector as well as its military modernization. (GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Less than a week later, Ding booked a one-way flight from San Francisco to Beijing, and on Dec. 26 he tendered his resignation effective Jan. 5, 2024, the indictment said. In late December, Google learned that Ding had presented as the CEO of Zhisuan at an investor conference in Beijing the month before and found his unauthorized uploads after searching his network activity history.

Google security personnel retrieved his company laptop and mobile device from his residence on Jan. 4, and the FBI executed search warrants to secure electronic devices and other evidence on Jan. 6 and 13, according to the indictment.

“While Linwei Ding was employed as a software engineer at Google, he was secretly working to enrich himself and two companies based in the People’s Republic of China,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey in a press release. “By stealing Google’s trade secrets about its artificial intelligence supercomputing systems, Ding gave himself and the companies that he affiliated with in the PRC an unfair competitive advantage.”

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

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Ding allegedly stole Google’s trade secrets to benefit a pair of Chinese companies, including one he founded. (LI XIN/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

“The stolen information concerns both Google’s hardware infrastructure and its AI software platform. Generally, the information concerns the technology that allows Google’s supercomputing data centers to train large AI models through machine learning. While doing this, Ding was secretly tied to two PRC-based technology companies. Both were artificial intelligence companies,” Ramsey added in a video statement.

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A Google spokesperson told FOX Business in a statement: “We have strict safeguards to prevent the theft of our confidential commercial information and trade secrets. After an investigation, we found that this employee stole numerous documents, and we quickly referred the case to law enforcement. We are grateful to the FBI for helping protect our information and will continue cooperating with them closely.”

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The company said that its investigation found it was one junior employee acting on their own and isn’t a pervasive problem at Google. It also noted that employee activity on Google’s network was logged, including file transfers to platforms like Google Drive and DropBox.

Reuters contributed to this report.



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Predictions for Mortgage Rates in 2024: What to Expect

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As we look ahead to 2024, many homeowners and prospective buyers are wondering what to expect when it comes to mortgage rates. The landscape of the housing market is constantly changing, so it’s important to stay informed about trends and predictions. In this blog post, we will discuss some factors that could impact mortgage rates in 2024 and what homeowners and buyers can expect.

One factor that could impact mortgage rates in 2024 is the overall state of the economy. If the economy is strong and growing, we may see higher mortgage rates as the Federal Reserve looks to combat inflation. On the other hand, if the economy is stagnant or in a recession, we may see lower mortgage rates as the Fed looks to stimulate growth. It’s important to keep an eye on economic indicators such as GDP growth, unemployment rates, and inflation to get a sense of where mortgage rates may be heading.

Another factor that could impact mortgage rates in 2024 is Federal Reserve policy. The Fed plays a key role in setting interest rates, and their decisions can have a ripple effect on mortgage rates. If the Fed decides to raise interest rates in response to inflation, we may see an increase in mortgage rates. Conversely, if the Fed decides to lower interest rates to stimulate growth, we may see a decrease in mortgage rates. Keeping up with the latest news and announcements from the Fed can give homeowners and buyers a sense of where mortgage rates may be heading.

In terms of specific cities and local mortgage companies, it’s important to note that mortgage rates can vary depending on location and lender. For example, in a city like New York City, where real estate prices are high, mortgage rates may be higher compared to a city like Indianapolis, where real estate prices are lower. Additionally, local mortgage companies may offer competitive rates and terms compared to national lenders. For example, in New York City, local lenders like Quontic Bank and CrossCountry Mortgage may offer specialized products and services tailored to the needs of local buyers.

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In conclusion, predicting mortgage rates in 2024 is not an exact science, but there are several factors that could impact rates. By staying informed about economic indicators, Federal Reserve policy, and local market trends, homeowners and buyers can make informed decisions about their mortgage. Shopping around and comparing rates from multiple lenders is key to ensuring you are getting the best deal on your mortgage. Whether you’re looking to refinance your existing mortgage or buy a new home, it’s important to stay informed and be proactive in managing your mortgage.

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