OpenAI engineer arrested in San Francisco linked to Saudi royal, prosecutors say

Federal prosecutors have charged Abdulrahman Alfozan, an OpenAI engineer based in San Francisco, with using a device to intercept oral communications at the company's offices, according to the San Francisco Standard.

Prosecutors allege that Alfozan was in frequent contact with a member of the Saudi royal family who sought to recruit him for an artificial intelligence project. WhatsApp messages reportedly show the royal repeatedly urging Alfozan to leave OpenAI and join the Saudi initiative.

In one message from May, the royal wrote, “Saudi needs you more then the U.S.!” to which Alfozan responded affirmatively but said he would remain at OpenAI until his stock vested, prosecutors said.

Alfozan has been in custody since October 9. A magistrate judge is scheduled to hear arguments on Monday morning regarding whether he should be released before trial. Prosecutors have described him as a flight risk and a danger, citing his ties to Saudi Arabia and his family’s departure.

The defense has noted that Alfozan has a pending citizenship interview and argued he has reasons to remain in the U.S., according to the report.