The U.S. Department of Justice has charged former Google IT engineer Linwei Ding with stealing over 1,000 files containing confidential AI-related data, including proprietary hardware designs.

According to investigators, Ding had been working with Chinese tech firms since 2022, allegedly passing on sensitive trade secrets.

In addition, authorities revealed that he founded his own AI company in China, where he took on the role of CEO.

Now, he faces severe legal consequences for industrial espionage, with a potential sentence of up to 175 years in prison if convicted. The case underscores growing tensions over AI and technology security between the U.S. and China.