Linwei Ding, once a software engineer at Google, has been convicted of stealing sensitive artificial intelligence trade secrets. A US federal jury found him guilty of economic espionage and theft of trade secrets. Prosecutors say Ding downloaded thousands of confidential files about Google's AI systems while working there from 2019 to 2023. These files revealed details about AI supercomputers, custom hardware, and internal tools key to Google's AI edge. During this time, Ding secretly worked with two China-based tech companies, including one he helped start. He also applied to a Shanghai talent program to benefit China's tech sector. US authorities say these actions clearly aimed to help foreign entities with stolen US secrets. The 38-year-old, who lived in California and is a Chinese national, was tried in San Francisco. The defense claimed the materials were not trade secrets and were not shared commercially, but the jury disagreed. Ding was found guilty on 14 counts total. Each economic espionage count carries up to 15 years in prison, and each trade secret theft count up to 10 years. Sentencing will take place later. Ding remains free for now, as the court does not see him as a flight risk. His lawyers may appeal the decision. The US Department of Justice called the conviction a major win for protecting American innovation. The case shines a spotlight on the challenge of guarding secret tech in the competitive global AI race amid rising geopolitical tensions.