Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Former Google Engineer Sentenced for Stealing AI Infrastructure Secrets
Linwei Ding worked at Google and could see secret information about the company’s AI computers.
Prosecutors said he copied hundreds of files and moved them to personal accounts and a computer.
The files explained Google’s special chips, other computer parts, and software that helps many chips work together.
Prosecutors said this information could save another company years of work and millions of dollars.
They also said Ding was connected to technology businesses in China, including Rongshu and his own company, Zhisuan.
A jury found him guilty of stealing Google trade secrets.
The judge did not agree that prosecutors had proved Ding intended to help the Chinese government during the relevant period, so he overturned the espionage conviction.
Ding was still sentenced to nearly one year in prison.
He must also serve supervised release and pay financial penalties.
Linwei Ding, a former Google software engineer, was sentenced to 12 months minus one day in prison for stealing AI-related trade secrets.
Prosecutors said Ding transferred more than 500 files, while later court filings alleged more than 1,000 unique files and over 2,000 pages of confidential information.
The material covered Google’s Tensor Processing Units, GPUs, SmartNICs, networking software, and systems coordinating thousands of chips.
Prosecutors linked Ding to China-based ventures Rongshu and Zhisuan while he was employed by Google and alleged he concealed those relationships.
Judge Vince Chhabria overturned Ding’s economic-espionage conviction but upheld the trade-secret convictions; Ding also received two years of supervised release, more than $189,000 in restitution, and a $25,000 fine.
- Who
- Former Google software engineer Linwei Ding, also known as Leon Ding, and U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria.
- What
- Ding was convicted of stealing confidential information about Google’s AI infrastructure and sentenced to 12 months minus one day in prison.
- When
- The alleged transfers occurred from May 21, 2022, to May 2, 2023; the jury verdict came in January, and sentencing took place on Tuesday. The judge overturned the espionage conviction in August.
- Where
- The case was tried and sentenced in federal court in San Francisco; the alleged business connections included ventures based in China.
- Why
- Prosecutors said Ding took Google’s trade secrets for use in connection with China-based AI ventures and his own company, Zhisuan.
Prosecution and Court
Defense and Judge’s Limitation
Seriousness of the conduct
Prosecution and Court
Prosecutors described Ding’s actions as a systematic and brazen theft of Google property, while the judge said a noncustodial sentence would not adequately reflect the seriousness of the offense.
Defense and Judge’s Limitation
Ding’s lawyers sought three months of home confinement, citing his role as the primary caregiver for his 8-year-old son, the damage to his career, and the publicity surrounding the case.
Purpose and China connection
Prosecution and Court
Prosecutors highlighted Ding’s links to Rongshu, his creation of Zhisuan, investor meetings, and an application to a Chinese government-backed talent program as evidence that the stolen information could benefit Chinese interests.
Defense and Judge’s Limitation
The judge ruled that the evidence was insufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Ding knew or intended, during May 2022 to April 2023, that his actions would benefit the Chinese government.
Scale of the alleged theft
Prosecution and Court
Prosecutors said Ding transferred more than 500 confidential files containing information about Google’s AI hardware and software systems.
Defense and Judge’s Limitation
The figures varied across the proceedings: later filings referred to more than 1,000 unique files and evidence involving more than 2,000 pages, rather than only the initial 500-file figure.
- Defendant
- Linwei Ding, also known as Leon Ding
- Former employer
- Sentence
- 12 months minus one day in prison
- Supervised release
- Two years
- Financial penalties
- More than $189,000 in restitution and a $25,000 fine
- Alleged data transfer
- More than 500 files moved from Google’s network to Ding’s personal Google Cloud account
- Later court-file estimate
- More than 1,000 unique files and over 2,000 pages of confidential information
