A former OpenAI engineer has been charged in the United States after allegedly planting a recording device at the artificial intelligence company’s San Francisco office.
Abdulrahman Alfozan, a Saudi national who joined OpenAI in July 2025, faces a federal charge of using or attempting to use an electronic, mechanical or other device to intercept oral communications. According to federal prosecutors, the device was hidden in an executive conference room to record sensitive conversations about the company’s artificial intelligence products.
OpenAI said it found a “sophisticated recording device” on 30 September and reported the matter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Prosecutors claim the device was installed two days earlier. It was reportedly wrapped in toilet paper and placed inside a USB port on the back of a television in the conference room. OpenAI said it used its artificial intelligence models to investigate the device and identify the employee allegedly responsible for planting it. The company subsequently fired the employee.
The company added that it had no indication that its source code, model weights or customer data had been improperly accessed or taken during the incident.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the suspect allegedly hid the recording equipment to capture sensitive workplace communications. According to the complaint, investigators believe the alleged objective was to obtain information about OpenAI’s AI products. The FBI also alleged that Alfozan used a productivity tool and a chatbot to research sensitive locations within the company and ways to install audio recording equipment covertly.
Prosecutors cited alleged chatbot searches concerning the construction and installation of recording devices, remote access, Wi-Fi connectivity, live audio monitoring and encryption. The complaint also alleges that Alfozan returned to the conference room on 5 October to inspect the device. Prosecutors said CCTV footage helped link him to the location.
On the same day, he allegedly left a bag unattended elsewhere in the building. OpenAI’s security team reportedly found his wallet and identification inside, alongside another recording device similar to the one discovered in the conference room.
Alfozan appeared in court on Tuesday. The available report did not establish whether he had legal representation.
If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000, according to the report.
The case highlights security concerns surrounding confidential corporate communications and the potential use of artificial intelligence tools to research surveillance equipment. The allegations have not been established as proven facts in court.
