Saudi national accused of planting recording device at OpenAI held without bail

Abdulrahman Alfozan, a former engineer at OpenAI, was arrested by the FBI on 9 October after a device was found in a conference room. The device was plugged into the back of a television and covered with toilet paper, according to a court filing. Alfozan was 35 and had worked at the company for about a year before the incident. The company terminated his contract following his arrest.

Prosecutors allege that Alfozan had frequent communication with an unnamed member of the Saudi royal family. They also claim a Saudi military official paid for a one‑way flight for Alfozan’s wife and 3‑month‑old son to Saudi Arabia after his arrest. The flight was booked on 10 October, the day after the arrest, and the ticket was paid for by a Saudi military official. The Saudi government has not responded to requests for comment. Alfozan’s lawyer has not yet commented either.

A San Francisco federal judge, Alex Tse, denied Alfozan’s request for bail. The judge said there was a significant risk that Alfozan would not appear in court. The judge questioned the value of an offer by the Saudi consulate to pay bail. Alfozan has been held in custody since his arrest. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

The prosecutors’ filing states that Alfozan’s alleged device could pose a danger to U.S. national security because executives from OpenAI met with government officials in the same room during the period the device was installed. The filing also notes that Alfozan had access to resources and support from a foreign government that has no extradition treaty with the United States. The case is described as an ongoing investigation that may result in additional charges. Alfozan is scheduled to appear in federal court in San Francisco later that week.

OpenAI is a leading artificial‑intelligence research company. The incident highlights security challenges around sensitive AI research as companies and governments compete for technological advantage. The case has drawn attention to the potential for espionage and the need for robust security protocols in AI firms.