Former Google engineer Linwei Ding has been arrested for allegedly stealing AI technology from the company.

Ding is accused of transferring over 500 confidential Google files to his personal account while employed by two Chinese AI firms.

FBI Director Christopher Wray highlighted the risk of economic and national security damage from the theft of American tech secrets.

Ding allegedly uploaded Google's trade secrets to a personal cloud account over the course of a year, from May 2022 to May 2023.

If found guilty, Ding could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of trade secret theft.

The FBI is actively combating the misuse of AI, especially in the context of election year threats from foreign entities.

Google is actively involved in the investigation, collaborating with law enforcement following the breach.