New Delhi: OpenAI's robotics team leader Caitlin Kalinowski has resigned, protesting the company's decision to deploy AI models in the Pentagon's classified network.
"AI has an important role in national security. But surveillance of Americans without judicial oversight and lethal autonomy without human authorisation are lines that deserved more deliberation than they got," Kalinowski posted on X. She called the decision to leave "difficult."
OpenAI confirmed her departure, defending the Defense Department deal as "a workable path for responsible national security uses of AI " with clear boundaries: no domestic surveillance, no autonomous weapons.
The company acknowledged diverse views: "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."
Kalinowski joined OpenAI in November 2024 from Meta, where she led augmented-reality glasses development.
Late February's Pentagon agreement allows advanced AI in classified environments. OpenAI pushed for equal access for all AI firms and stressed safeguards: full control over safety protocols, cloud deployment, cleared personnel oversight, and robust U.S. legal protections.
The deal followed failed Trump administration talks with Anthropic, now labeled a Pentagon supply-chain risk. OpenAI publicly opposed the blacklisting.
Anthropic confirmed its "Supply Chain Risk (SCR)" designation applies only to its Claude models in Department of Defense contracts—not broader customer use. CEO Dario Amodei apologized for criticizing President Donald Trump.
(Inputs from IANS)