Former OpenAI engineer denied bail over alleged recording device; Saudi Arabia offered $1 million guarantee
A federal judge in the US has ordered former OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan to remain in jail after questioning whether a $1 million bond backed by Saudi Arabia would ensure he returned to court if released. Alfozan, 35, was arrested on October 9 over allegations that he planted a recording device in an OpenAI conference room where executives and, at times, government officials discussed sensitive information. He will remain in federal custody until his next court date on November 6, according to a Fortune report. OpenAI ended Alfozan’s employment on October 9, according to the report.
The company has said it has “no indications” that he improperly accessed or took model weights, source code or customer data. Alfozan faces a charge related to intercepting oral communications and has not been indicted or entered a plea. Alfozan’s defence stressed that the criminal complaint does not accuse him of espionage, stealing trade secrets or acting as an agent of a foreign government.