OpenAI has confirmed the resignation of Caitlin Kalinowski, who led the company's robotics hardware division. Her departure follows criticism regarding the firm's recent partnership with the Department of Defense, which she described as rushed and lacking necessary guardrails.
Kalinowski, who transitioned to OpenAI from Meta in late 2024, took to X to express concerns over the implications of the agreement, highlighting issues like surveillance and lethal autonomy that she believes require more thorough consideration. She emphasized that these topics should have been prioritized as governance issues.
Despite her resignation being a notable reaction to the Pentagon deal, OpenAI indicated that it does not plan to fill her position. The company maintains that it is committed to responsible AI usage, asserting that the agreement with the Pentagon establishes clear boundaries, including prohibiting domestic surveillance and autonomous weaponry.
In response to public concern, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the need for an amendment to the deal to address the issue of surveillance on Americans.