OpenAI Robotics Head Caitlin Kalinowski Resigns Over Pentagon Deal Concerns

San Francisco — Caitlin Kalinowski, head of robotics and consumer hardware at OpenAI, announced her resignation on Saturday, citing concerns about the company's agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to deploy AI technology on classified networks. This resignation has sparked heated debate over AI applications in the military domain.

In a social media post, Kalinowski said she made the decision in response to OpenAI's new agreement with the Pentagon. "Decisions about surveillance of Americans and lethal autonomy deserved more deliberation than they got," she wrote, highlighting her deep concerns about potential misuse of AI technology.

Earlier reports indicated that OpenAI had reached an agreement with the Department of Defense to deploy its AI technology on the Pentagon's classified network. This collaboration has drawn widespread criticism from AI ethicists and human rights activists, who fear that deploying advanced AI for military purposes could lead to catastrophic consequences.

OpenAI had previously stated it would not develop AI for weapons, but in recent years the company has gradually relaxed restrictions on military applications. In 2025, OpenAI announced a partnership with defense technology company Anduril to help counter battlefield drones—a shift that has unsettled some employees.

Kalinowski's resignation is not an isolated incident. According to insiders, as OpenAI's involvement in defense deepens, internal disputes over military applications of AI have intensified. Some employees worry that this deviates from the company's original mission to "ensure AI benefits humanity."

OpenAI has not yet commented on Kalinowski's resignation. The company is currently seeking a successor for its robotics division. Kalinowski has not announced her next steps after leaving OpenAI.

Industry observers believe this incident reflects deeper divisions within the AI industry over military applications. As AI capabilities continue to grow, more technologists are questioning the boundaries of technology application. For OpenAI, balancing commercial interests with ethical responsibilities will be a major challenge going forward.

Reference Sources: Reuters, TechCrunch, Bloomberg, Business Insider