Caitlin Kalinowski, the head of robotics and consumer hardware at OpenAI, has resigned. Her departure, announced on Saturday, was attributed to concerns over the company’s recent agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense.
In a statement posted on social media, Kalinowski expressed that the company moved too quickly in agreeing to deploy its AI models on the Pentagon’s classified cloud networks. “AI has an important role in national security,” she wrote. “But surveillance of Americans without judicial oversight and lethal autonomy without human authorization are lines that deserved more deliberation than they got.”
Kalinowski clarified that her decision was primarily a matter of governance, stating that the deal was announced “without the guardrails defined.” She emphasized that such critical issues are “too important for deals or announcements to be rushed,” while also noting her deep respect for the OpenAI team and its leadership.
In response, OpenAI reiterated that its “red lines” prevent the use of its technology for domestic surveillance or in autonomous weapons. The company stated that the agreement includes additional safeguards and acknowledged the strong views surrounding these issues. It pledged to continue discussions with employees, government bodies, and civil society.
Kalinowski joined OpenAI in 2024 after previously leading augmented reality hardware development at Meta Platforms.
