OpenAI's robotics head quits after company's Pentagon deal: 'This was about principle'

"AI has an important role in national security. But surveillance of Americans without judicial oversight and lethal autonomy without human authorization are lines that deserved more deliberation than they got."

"OpenAI struck a deal with the Pentagon last week, allowing the Department of Defense to use its AI products. The agreement came after its rival Anthropic refused a similar deal over concerns that the technology would be used for mass surveillance and autonomous weapons."

Caitlin Kalinowski, OpenAI's hardware executive and robotics division leader, resigned from the company on Saturday in protest of OpenAI's recent agreement with the Pentagon. She expressed concerns that the deal permits surveillance of Americans without judicial oversight and lethal autonomous systems without human authorization. Kalinowski characterized her resignation as a matter of principle while maintaining respect for CEO Sam Altman and the robotics team. The Pentagon deal allows the Department of Defense to use OpenAI's AI products. This resignation follows Anthropic's refusal of a similar Pentagon agreement, citing comparable concerns about mass surveillance and autonomous weapons development.

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