OpenAI's robotics chief resigns over controversial deal with US Department of Defense

Caitlin Kalinowski, who led the robotics team at OpenAI, has announced that she is leaving the company, citing OpenAI's decision to sign an AI contract with the U.S. Department of Defense .

OpenAI robotics lead Caitlin Kalinowski quits in response to Pentagon deal | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/07/openai-robotics-lead-caitlin-kalinowski-quits-in-response-to-pentagon-deal/

Kalinowski announced his departure from OpenAI on the business social networking site LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter). The message he posted reads as follows:

'I am leaving OpenAI. I value the work we built with our robotics team. This was not an easy decision. I agree that AI plays an important role in national security. However, surveilling Americans without judicial oversight and operating systems with lethal autonomy without human permission are issues that require more careful discussion. These are issues of principle, not people. I have deep respect for Sam and the team and am proud of what we built together.'

I resigned from OpenAI. I care deeply about the Robotics team and the work we built together. This wasn't an easy call. AI has an important role in national security. But surveillance of Americans without judicial oversight and lethal autonomy without human authorization are…

— Caitlin Kalinowski (@kalinowski007) March 7, 2026

Kalinowski later clarified his decision, saying, 'To be clear, my issue is that the announcement was rushed without the guardrails defined. This is a governance concern first and foremost. This is too important to be rushed for a deal or announcement.'

To be clear, my issue is that the announcement was rushed without the guardrails defined. It's a governance concern first and foremost. These are too important for deals or announcements to be rushed.

— Caitlin Kalinowski (@kalinowski007) March 7, 2026

Kalinowski joined OpenAI in November 2024 after leading the development team for augmented reality (AR) glasses at Meta.

An OpenAI spokesperson confirmed Kalinowski's departure, saying in a statement to TechCrunch, 'We believe our agreement with the Department of Defense establishes a viable path forward for responsible use of AI for national security, while also clarifying our red lines on domestic surveillance and the prohibition of autonomous weapons. We recognize that people have strong opinions on these issues, and we will continue to engage in discussions with our employees, governments, civil society, and communities around the world.'

The agreement between OpenAI and the US Department of Defense that led to Kalinowski's departure was announced in early March 2026.

OpenAI agrees to AI contract with Department of Defense, shortly after Anthropic negotiations collapse - GIGAZINE

This agreement stems from Anthropic, a competitor of OpenAI, partnering with the US Department of Defense to restrict the use of its AI in 'large-scale domestic surveillance' and 'fully autonomous weapons.' Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth disliked Anthropic's restrictions and demanded that Anthropic either lift the restrictions or sever the relationship. Anthropic ultimately rejected the US Department of Defense's request. This ultimately led to Anthropic being designated a 'supply chain risk to national security' by the US Department of Defense.

AI company Anthropic officially designated as a 'supply chain risk to US national security,' Anthropic vows legal battle - GIGAZINE