An engineer employed by OpenAI has been arrested and charged with using a covert audio recording device to spy on confidential company communications. The US Department of Justice alleges that Saudi national Abdulrahman Alfozan concealed a recording device within the company's executive conference room to capture sensitive information regarding its "super intelligence" technology.
According to the complaint, Alfozan, an engineer at OpenAI since July 2025, installed the device, which was disguised within toilet paper, into a conference room television. The device was reportedly active for several days before its discovery. The FBI stated that its director, Kash Patel, views protecting AI innovation as essential for national security and economic strength, making it a high counterintelligence priority.
Further allegations suggest that Alfozan's spouse's chatbot account was used to submit prompts related to building continuous audio recorders, improving listening capabilities, and encrypting SD cards, with some prompts referencing the specific type of device found. The executive conference room was frequently used for discussions involving confidential technical, commercial, and strategic information, including proprietary research and product plans.
Officials from the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the Director of National Intelligence have emphasized the national security implications of safeguarding advanced AI technology from foreign threats. US Attorney Craig H. Missakian stated that the arrest highlights efforts to prosecute individuals who allegedly attempt to steal American technology. The case raises questions about the potential role of AI tools in facilitating such espionage activities.