Disgraced founder of AI firm accused of ‘offering secrets to Chinese’

The disgraced founder of an artificial intelligence company has been accused by the company of stealing his technology and setting up a rival in China.

Zia Chishti allegedly stole technology secrets when he left Afiniti.

The 52-year-old entrepreneur left the software company after allegations of child grooming and sexual assault in 2021 by a former employee.

The attack scandal saw former British Prime Minister David Cameron resign after a stint as chairman of the Bermuda firm’s board.

In claims in a lawsuit in Washington DC, Chishti is accused of refusing to return his computer.

After leaving Afiniti, which still employs Princess Beatrice as vice president of partnerships and strategy, he set up companies in Pakistan and China.

Afiniti’s lawyers allege that Chishti has offered software to companies such as China Mobile, which is being held back by the Chinese government.

Afiniti says Chishti “conspired” with his wife, Sarah Pobereskin and “others” to “set up a series of companies in China, Pakistan and elsewhere to improperly convert and commercially exploit Afiniti’s trade secrets.”

These allegedly “attacked and hired afiniti employees with specific knowledge of Afiniti trade secrets and operations.”

They set up in the same office as Afiniti’s previous Chinese branch and imitated the brand name, with the Chinese entity Qinhe meaning “affinity” in English, the lawsuit said.

Chishti has disputed the theft claims, labeling allegations “apart from reality,” and has said he was offering Afiniti the chance to “solve the matter as quickly as possible.”

The assault charge came out when Tatiana Spottiswoode testified before Congress that she suffered injuries after a work trip with Chishti. He denies the allegations and has launched defamation proceedings against her.