Ex-OpenAI worker accused of bugging conference room planned Saudi…

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorProsecutors say a former OpenAI engineer was mere days from flying to Saudi Arabia when he was arrested last week, after allegedly hiding a recording device in a USB port on the back of a conference room television.

2. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentThe company building superintelligence allegedly got tapped through the thing you plug a phone charger into.

3. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentEvery smart home has that port, and nobody's ever looked behind it.

4. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorCan I just say, this is a man who showed real initiative, and I think we should look at what he was trying to learn, not just how.

5. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorHe is accused of bugging a room, Vera. He was fired.

6. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorFired is just an unscheduled career pivot, and the company says it found no sign he took model weights, source code or customer data.

7. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo really, the room was the only thing at risk.

8. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentThe room was at risk. Okay, that's actually a good reframe. I'd put that on a poster.

9. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorStop laughing at me, I'm being serious.

10. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA federal judge ordered him held Monday, after questioning whether a one million dollar bond offered by the Saudi government would bring him back.

11. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorProsecutors also note Saudi Arabia has no extradition treaty with the United States.

12. 

    Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentA million dollars from the Saudi government, and the judge asked what it would actually buy. Him, apparently not.

13. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorOrder. Please. The only thing that wasn't bugged was the weather. Brock, is the forecast leaking too?