The FBI has arrested Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old Saudi national and former OpenAI engineer, over allegations that he planted a recording device inside the company’s San Francisco office. OpenAI says its artificial intelligence models helped investigators trace the device’s origin and identify the employee allegedly responsible. The company discovered the suspicious equipment during a security inspection on September 30. According to the US Department of Justice, Alfozan allegedly intended to secretly record sensitive conversations concerning OpenAI’s technology. Investigators believe he installed the device inside an executive conference room used for confidential discussions. Authorities arrested him on October 9, and he subsequently appeared in federal court.
OpenAI Uses AI Models to Trace Recording Device
The allegations remain subject to legal proceedings, and the charges do not establish guilt. If convicted, Alfozan could face imprisonment, financial penalties and supervised release under federal law. OpenAI employees reportedly discovered a thumb-sized recording device concealed behind a television inside an executive conference room. The device was wrapped in toilet paper and connected to a USB port. According to reports, it contained a microphone, a detachable camera sensor and microSD storage. The company said its internal AI models helped analyse the equipment and determine where it originated. OpenAI also said its technology helped identify an employee who allegedly placed the device several days earlier. Investigators believe the device was installed around September 28, shortly before employees discovered it. However, authorities could not access its contents because the recordings were encrypted. OpenAI notified the FBI after identifying the employee allegedly connected to the incident.
The company has not reported evidence that the incident compromised its confidential information. Security personnel subsequently investigated other suspicious circumstances involving the employee.According to the criminal complaint, Alfozan allegedly used a productivity tool to gather information about OpenAI’s buildings, conference rooms, calendars and executive schedules. Investigators also allege that he used an AI chatbot account associated with his spouse to seek guidance about recording equipment. Between September 24 and September 30, he reportedly asked questions about building, installing, concealing, testing and remotely accessing such a device. Prosecutors allege that surveillance footage placed him near the conference room on several occasions.
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FBI Investigators Examine Alleged Planning and Security Footage
The complaint states that he lacked authorisation to enter the room or attend the meetings held there. On October 5, cameras allegedly captured him entering the conference room and looking behind the television. Investigators also examined a bag he reportedly left unattended in another room. Security personnel searched the bag and discovered identification documents, a wallet and another encrypted recording device. Prosecutors say Alfozan later collected the bag without mentioning the second device. OpenAI terminated Alfozan’s employment following the incident and informed federal investigators about its findings. The company stated that it had found no indication that he improperly accessed or extracted model weights, source code or customer data. Authorities continue to rely on the criminal complaint and related evidence to establish the allegations.
Alfozan, a US permanent resident, joined OpenAI in July 2025 and worked on AI agents and the company’s data platform. His professional background also includes roles at Meta, Microsoft and SAP. He reportedly studied computer science and engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Alfozan also serves as a venture partner at Raed Ventures, according to the information provided in the report. The case has drawn attention to how companies use AI tools to investigate security incidents. It also highlights concerns about protecting confidential meetings and sensitive technology from unauthorised recording. Any final determination of guilt will depend on the judicial process.
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