Judge keeps former OpenAI engineer accused of bugging room in custody

Abdulrahman Alfozan, a former OpenAI engineer, will remain in custody while awaiting trial, federal magistrate judge Alex Tse ruled. US prosecutors allege he is a flight risk because the Saudi Arabian government offered unconditional support to fund his release; Tse likened the offer to a “blank check.” Alfozan’s attorney disputed the flight-risk claim and denied that he spied for Saudi Arabia.

OpenAI allegedly found, in late September, a recording device hidden behind a TV in a room used for confidential executive meetings and linked it to Alfozan before firing him. Authorities also allege that he was in frequent contact with a member of the Saudi royal family, who was reportedly trying to recruit him for an AI initiative in the country. Alfozan faces one count of using a device to intercept communications, carrying up to five years in prison, and prosecutors say additional charges may be filed.