OpenAI says it used its own AI models to help identify an employee accused of planting a covert recording device inside an executive conference room. The company also coordinated his termination with the FBI and progressively restricted his access beforehand.
OpenAI says it found no indication that model weights, source code, or customer data were exfiltrated.
The employee has been identified as Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35, a Saudi national who joined OpenAI’s product team in July 2025.
Recording Device Found in Executive Conference Room
According to the criminal complaint, OpenAI’s technical surveillance team found a hidden audio recording device on September 30.
The device had been plugged into a USB port behind a television in an executive conference room and concealed in toilet paper. Investigators believe it had been installed around September 28, and its contents were encrypted.
The room was used for highly confidential technical, commercial, and strategic discussions. Prosecutors say Alfozan was not authorized to access the room or attend meetings there.
OpenAI Says Its Models Helped Identify the Suspect
OpenAI says it used its own models during the investigation to analyze the device and related forensic data.
That work reportedly helped investigators identify Alfozan as the suspected person behind the device.
OpenAI then referred the case to the FBI, restricted his access to company systems and physical spaces, placed him on leave, and secured his company-issued equipment.
He was fired on October 9, the same day he was arrested.
Complaint Details
The complaint alleges that before the device was installed, Alfozan searched internal tools for building addresses, meeting rooms, room capacities, calendars, leadership locations, and external partner meetings.
Investigators also examined a chatbot account linked to his spouse that allegedly shared multiple identifiers with his own account.
Between September 24 and September 30, the account reportedly submitted prompts about building a continuous audio recorder, encrypting an SD card, concealing the device, adding Wi-Fi or remote access, and using the specific device’s MAC address.
Second Recording Device Found
The complaint says Alfozan returned to the conference room on October 5 and appeared to look behind the television.
Later that day, he allegedly left a bag unattended in another room. Security personnel found his wallet, identification, and a second similar recording device inside.
Charges and Possible Sentence
Alfozan has been charged with using or attempting to use a device to intercept oral communications.
He was arrested on October 9, made his initial court appearance on October 13, and remains in custody. A detention hearing is scheduled for October 19.
If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.
Federal officials have described the case as a national-security matter and said protecting American AI innovation is a counterintelligence priority.
The allegations have not yet been proven in court.
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