Ex-OpenAI worker accused of planting device had Saudi support says court filing
A former OpenAI employee has been charged with planting a recording device in a meeting room, with court filings suggesting he had support from the Saudi government. Prosecutors argue the suspect is a flight risk and poses a potential national security threat.
Why it matters
The case highlights growing concerns regarding corporate espionage and the intersection of private AI firms with international geopolitical interests.
Image source, Reuters/DOJ By Laura Cress Technology reporter Published 3 hours ago A Saudi national charged with secretly planting a recording device in one of OpenAI's meeting rooms has been accused of having "considerable support" from the Saudi government, according to a court filing , external in California.
US prosecutors claimed Abdulrahman Alfozan, who worked for the AI firm, was in "frequent communication... with a member of the Saudi royal family", and say a member of the country's military paid for a one-way flight to Saudi Arabia for his wife and son after his arrest.
It was argued the 35-year-old engineer therefore posed a flight risk and should be detained, pending trial.
The Saudi government did not immediately respond to BBC requests for comment.
Alfozan had worked at OpenAI for around a year before he allegedly made his attempt to plant an audio recorder.
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