OpenAI: Developer of ChatGPT warns employees about sex traps

Employees were also warned that they could be offered money in exchange for trade secrets or that their conversations in cafes could be overheard, according to people familiar with the matter. Employees of other AI heavyweights would also hear such warnings.

According to the report, OpenAI employees are also advised not to show themselves outside with company logos and not to leave information on whiteboards even in the office - in case cleaning staff have been recruited to spy on them.

A large proportion of young people work in the industry, and they have sometimes moved from one AI company to another. The Silicon Valley stereotype also includes a supposedly high proportion of men who are more adept at using technology than at interpersonal relationships.

A possible spy at OpenAI

Just a few days ago, an OpenAI employee was arrested. The Saudi citizen is accused of placing a recording device in a conference room used by top management in San Francisco. There has so far been no information about the exact aim of this campaign.

According to a court document, the man had booked a flight to Saudi Arabia for October 12th for himself, his wife and another family member, “one-way,” i.e. without a return ticket. The 35-year-old was arrested on October 9th.

"If you catch one guy, that means there are half a dozen others out there," commented Randy Watt of SRW, a company that advises corporate executives, in the Wall Street Journal article. Watt explained that criminals may be looking not only for technical or strategic information, but also for personal secrets. These could be used to exploit or blackmail people.