AI sabotage in the workplace? ByteDance isn’t amused

TIKTOK

AI sabotage in the workplace? ByteDance isn’t amused

ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, is suing a former intern, Tian Keyu, for damages of 8 million yuan ($1.1 million).

The lawsuit, filed in Beijing's Haidian District Court, claims Tian deliberately interfered with the company’s AI LLM training by changing code without permission.

While legal disputes between companies and employees are common in China, it is rare to see such a large claim made against an intern.

This case has gained attention because it involves LLM technology, which is a key part of the fast-growing field of generative AI.

These tools create text, images, and other content using large datasets.

Here’s what you should know:

• ByteDance is seeking $1.1 million, saying the intern deliberately disrupted its AI systems.

• The case highlights the focus on large language models and their increasing global significance.

• ByteDance has dismissed claims of millions in losses and damage to thousands of GPUs as exaggerated.

Sabotage or overreaction?

ByteDance dismissed Tian in August, blaming his actions for the disruption.

The company has denied rumours of severe financial losses and refused to comment further.

Tian, identified as a postgraduate student at Peking University, has not responded publicly.

This lawsuit shows the growing importance of AI technology and the high stakes involved in its development.

ByteDance said, 'Play stupid games, win $1.1 million lawsuits.'