OpenAI loses top manager over military surveillance fears
Caitlin Kalinowski, head of robotics and consumer hardware at OpenAI, has announced her resignation, citing concerns about the company’s negotiations with the U.S. Department of Defense.
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Kalinowski said she was dissatisfied with how quickly the agreement was reached and argued that the decision lacked broader public discussion and clearly defined rules governing the use of artificial intelligence.
Concerns about oversight and autonomous weapons
In a post on X, Kalinowski said artificial intelligence plays a significant role in national security but warned that some issues require deeper scrutiny.
She highlighted concerns about potential surveillance of Americans without judicial oversight and the development of autonomous lethal systems without proper authorization. According to her, such questions require careful governance and should not be decided hastily.
Kalinowski joined OpenAI in 2024 after working at Meta Platforms, where she led the development of augmented reality hardware.
OpenAI says safeguards are in place
OpenAI responded by saying the agreement with the Defense Department includes additional safeguards.
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The company said its policies prohibit the use of its technology for domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons systems. OpenAI added that it plans to continue discussions on the issue with employees, government institutions and civil society groups.
Political pressure on AI companies
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump said the Pentagon and other U.S. government agencies must stop using products from Anthropic within six months. Leaders of the startup have previously called for restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence in fully autonomous weapons and large-scale domestic surveillance systems.
