Caitlin Kalinowski recently announced her departure from OpenAI, where she led hardware and robotic engineering teams. In her posts on X and LinkedIn, she shared her commitment to the Robotics team and expressed her concerns about the ethical implications of AI in military applications.
Kalinowski emphasized that the issue is about principles, not individuals. She highlighted the importance of oversight when it comes to surveillance and the use of autonomous weapons. This resignation comes amid rising tensions around how far AI should go in supporting military operations. Just days prior, negotiations between the Pentagon and Anthropic fell apart over these very concerns.
OpenAI had just signed a deal with the Defense Department to use its technology in a classified setting, drawing criticism for appearing to seize an opportunity after Anthropic stepped back from negotiations. CEO Sam Altman later noted that the rollout seemed “opportunistic” and committed to clearer guidelines on military uses of their AI.
An OpenAI spokesperson defended the agreement, stating it aims for responsible national security uses while firmly opposing domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons. They also acknowledged the strong public and employee opinions on these issues and the need for ongoing discussions.
Before joining OpenAI, Kalinowski was a hardware executive at Meta, where she led the development of advanced augmented reality glasses known as Orion. This role followed her extensive work on VR headsets at Oculus and designing MacBooks at Apple.
The conversation around AI and military use is evolving quickly. A recent survey by the Pew Research Center found that 62% of Americans are concerned about the ethical implications of AI in military contexts. More and more people are advocating for transparency and accountability in how these technologies are utilized, reflecting a societal demand for ethical AI practices.
As the debate continues, experts stress the need for rigorous discussions on AI’s role in national security. Engaging multiple stakeholders—from tech companies to civil society—will be crucial to finding a balance between innovation and ethics in this fast-changing landscape.
For more on the ethical considerations of AI in military use, you can read insights from researchers at the Center for a New American Security.
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