Prosecutors seek detention of former OpenAI engineer pending trial

Prosecutors asked a federal judge to keep a former OpenAI engineer in U.S. custody while he awaits trial, arguing that he is a flight risk. A court appearance in San Francisco was scheduled for Monday.

Prosecutors charged the former engineer last week with using an electronic device to intercept oral communications. A criminal complaint alleges that he plugged a recording device into the back of a television in an executive conference room at one of OpenAI's San Francisco buildings.

His lawyer previously requested release under conditions including location monitoring and surrender of his passport. The lawyer said the defendant had spent the past 15 years in the United States and had applied for citizenship.

The defense said a planned trip to Saudi Arabia had been booked before the investigation and was for family and immigration reasons.

OpenAI previously said it discovered the device on September 30 and referred the matter to the FBI.