OpenAI’s robotics head resigns due to her concerns over its deal with US Pentagon
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Signs featuring robot dogs are planted at the National Mall in Washington on March 6 as a protest against OpenAI’s decision to allow the Pentagon to use its technologies.
PHOTO: AFP
- Caitlin Kalinowski resigned from OpenAI due to concerns about deploying AI models on the Pentagon's classified networks.
- Kalinowski criticised OpenAI for rushing the Pentagon deal without proper guardrails for surveillance and lethal autonomy.
- OpenAI defended the deal, stating it includes safeguards and adheres to "red lines" against domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons.
AI generated
WASHINGTON – Ms Caitlin Kalinowski, head of robotics and consumer hardware at OpenAI, announced her resignation on March 7, citing concerns about the company’s agreement with the US Department of Defence.
In a social media post on X, Ms Kalinowski wrote that OpenAI did not take enough time before agreeing to deploy its artificial intelligence models on the Pentagon’s classified cloud networks.
“AI has an important role in national security,” Ms Kalinowski posted.
“But surveillance of Americans without judicial oversight and lethal autonomy without human authorisation are lines that deserved more deliberation than they got.”
Reuters could not immediately reach Ms Kalinowski for comment, but she wrote on X that while she has “deep respect” for OpenAI chief executive officer Sam Altman and the team, the company announced the Pentagon deal “without the guardrails defined”, she posted.
“It’s a governance concern first and foremost,” Ms Kalinowski wrote in a subsequent X post.
“These are too important for deals or announcements to be rushed.”
OpenAI said the day after the deal was struck that it includes additional safeguards to protect its use cases.
The company on March 7 reiterated that its “red lines” preclude use of its technology in domestic surveillance or autonomous weapons.
“We recognise that people have strong views about these issues and we will continue to engage in discussion with employees, government, civil society and communities around the world,” the company said, in a statement to Reuters.
Ms Kalinowski joined OpenAI in 2024 after leading augmented reality hardware development at Meta Platforms. REUTERS
