A former Google software engineer faces additional charges in the US for allegedly stealing AI trade secrets to benefit Chinese companies. Prosecutors announced a 14-count indictment against Linwei Ding, also known as Leon Ding, accusing him of economic espionage and theft of trade secrets. Each charge carries significant prison terms and fines.

Ding, a Chinese national, was initially charged last March and remains free on bond. His case is being handled by a US task force established to prevent the transfer of advanced technology to countries such as China and Russia.

Prosecutors claim Ding stole information on Google's supercomputing data centres used to train large AI models, including confidential chip blueprints intended to give the company a competitive edge.

Ding allegedly began his thefts in 2022 after being recruited by a Chinese technology firm. By 2023, he had uploaded over 1,000 confidential files and shared a presentation with employees of a startup he founded, citing China's push for AI development.

Google has cooperated with authorities but has not been charged in the case. Discussions between prosecutors and defence lawyers indicate the case may go to trial.