%Tesla () is suing former engineer Alexander Yatskov for allegedly stealing “confidential” information related to the company's %Supercomputer .
Called %ProjectDojo , the supercomputer is Tesla’s neural net training computer that processes large amounts of data used to train the artificial intelligence software in Tesla’s %SelfDrivingCars .
According to the legal complaint, Yatskov had access to Dojo’s cooling information, as well as other confidential information associated with the project. Tesla has accused Yatskov of downloading the information to his personal devices and refusing to give it back.
Yatskov, who Tesla claims lied on his resume about his work history, started working for the electric vehicle maker as a thermal engineer in January of this year and aided in the design of Dojo’s cooling systems.
Tesla says all engineers sign a non-disclosure agreement that should prevent them from disclosing or storing confidential information about Dojo, which Tesla says Yatskov has violated by allegedly “removing Tesla confidential information from work devices and accounts…”
The company also claims that Yatskov admitted to storing classified information on his personal devices when the company confronted him about the situation. The electric vehicle maker then put Yatskov on administrative leave starting on April 6, 2022, and asked him to bring in his devices so Tesla could recover any stolen information.
Yatskov responded by allegedly providing Tesla with a dummy laptop in an attempt to conceal any evidence against him.
Yatskov resigned from his position on May 2. Tesla is suing Yatskov for compensatory and exemplary damages and is seeking a court order that would force the engineer to return the classified information.
Year to date, Tesla’s stock is down 28% to $865.65 U.S. a share.