OpenAI's Head of Robotics Quits Amid Questions Over Pentagon Partnership

OpenAI Robotics Team Head Quits Over Pentagon AI Deal

Caitlin Kalinowski, head of OpenAI's robotics team, has resigned from the company, citing concerns over the deployment of the company's artificial intelligence models within the Pentagon's classified network. In a post on X, Kalinowski stated that the agreement with the Defense Department did not provide sufficient deliberation on issues such as surveillance of Americans and lethal autonomy.

OpenAI confirmed Kalinowski's departure and emphasized that the company's agreement with the Pentagon creates a "workable path for responsible national security uses of AI" while maintaining its "red lines" of no domestic surveillance and no autonomous weapons. The company also acknowledged that it will continue to engage in discussions with employees, government, civil society, and communities worldwide.

Background

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Caitlin Kalinowski joined OpenAI in November 2024 as a member of the company's technical staff in robotics, having previously led the development of augmented reality glasses for Meta. OpenAI struck its deal with the Pentagon in late February, following the breakdown of talks between the Trump administration and Anthropic PBC.

Key Developments

• OpenAI and Anthropic PBC have differing views on the use of AI for national security purposes.
• President Donald Trump ordered all government departments to stop working with Anthropic PBC, and the Pentagon declared the company a supply-chain risk.
• OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman previously criticized the company's rush to reach a deal with the Defense Department, describing it as "opportunistic and sloppy."
• OpenAI publicly disagreed with the blacklisting of Anthropic PBC.