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SEE ALSO: AI Tech Smuggled to China: 3 Face Federal Charges
A trio of men are facing federal charges in Alabama, accused of running a scheme to funnel cutting-edge U.S. artificial intelligence technology to China. Yih-Shyan “Wally” Liaw, Ruei-Tsang “Steven” Chang, and Ting-Wei “Willy” Sun are alleged to have conspired to illegally export high-performance computer servers—rigged with sophisticated AI components—directly to the People’s Republic of China. The operation blatantly disregarded U.S. export control laws, federal prosecutors say.
According to the indictment unsealed today, the servers weren’t just any hardware; they were assembled here in the States and packed with American-made AI tech. Authorities aren’t detailing the exact nature of the AI, but sources suggest it’s sensitive technology with both civilian and potential military applications. The feds are treating this as a serious national security threat.
The case was jointly announced by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton, alongside top FBI brass including Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the Counterintelligence and Espionage Division, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., head of the New York Field Office. The investigation, led by the FBI, points to a deliberate effort to bypass regulations and send strategically important technology overseas. Expect more details on the specific methods used to evade detection to emerge as the case unfolds.
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