OpenAI Hardware Head Resigns After Pentagon AI Deal

Caitlin Kalinowski, who led hardware at OpenAI, announced her resignation on Saturday. She cited concerns about the company’s agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense. Kalinowski said OpenAI rushed the deal without sufficient deliberation on ethical and governance issues.

In a post on X, Kalinowski said OpenAI deployed its AI models on Pentagon-classified cloud networks too quickly. She emphasized that AI has an important role in national security but warned against risks. She criticized surveillance without judicial oversight and lethal autonomy without human authorization.

Kaliniowski wrote that she has “deep respect” for CEO Sam Altman and the OpenAI team. However, she said the Pentagon deal was announced “without the guardrails defined.” She framed her concerns as governance-related rather than personal.

She explained in a subsequent X post that such issues are “too important for deals or announcements to be rushed.” Kalinowski stressed that the ethical implications of AI in defense require careful planning and oversight.

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OpenAI responded that the Pentagon agreement includes additional safeguards for AI use cases. The company reaffirmed that its “red lines” prohibit use of technology for domestic surveillance or autonomous weapons. They emphasized ongoing engagement with employees, government, and civil society.

The company also said it recognizes the strong opinions around these issues. OpenAI promised continued discussions to ensure responsible use of AI. The statement reflected a commitment to ethical and transparent AI deployment.

Kaliniowski joined OpenAI in 2024 after leading augmented reality hardware development at Meta Platforms. Her resignation highlights growing concerns among AI experts over defense partnerships and ethical oversight.