Ex-OpenAI worker accused of planting device had Saudi support says court filing

A Saudi national, Abdulrahman Alfozan, faces charges for allegedly installing a recording device in an OpenAI office, according to a court filing. Prosecutors allege that Alfozan had "considerable support" from the Saudi government, as he frequently communicated with a member of the royal family and his wife and son were flown to Saudi Arabia at the government's expense after his arrest.

The Saudi government has not yet commented on the allegations. Alfozan, a 35-year-old former OpenAI engineer, was employed at the company for about a year before the incident. The AI firm discovered the hidden device on September 30, and Alfozan was detained on October 9 following his admission of guilt. The court filing claims that Alfozan's actions could threaten US national security due to meetings between OpenAI executives and government officials in the room where the device was planted.

His arrest occurred just three days before he was set to travel to Riyadh on a one-way trip with his family. Alfozan's wife and son reportedly left for Saudi Arabia on October 10, with his wife stating that her US visa was about to expire. If convicted, Alfozan could face up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.