Background

Caitlin Kalinowski, a former Meta augmented‑reality leader, joined OpenAI in November 2024 to head its hardware division. In early October 2026, OpenAI announced a new agreement with the Department of Defense that would allow its technology to be used in classified environments. The company described the deal as a "more expansive, multi‑layered approach" that incorporates both contract language and technical safeguards to protect its stated red lines against domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons.

OpenAI’s statement emphasized that the agreement creates a workable path for responsible national‑security uses of AI while reaffirming its commitment to the same red lines that guided earlier discussions with the Pentagon. The announcement came shortly after the Pentagon designated Anthropic a supply‑chain risk, a move Anthropic said it would contest in court.

Resignation

In response to the OpenAI‑Pentagon agreement, Kalinowski announced her resignation from the hardware team. She explained that the decision was driven by principle, not personal issues, and expressed deep respect for CEO Sam Altman and the broader OpenAI team. Kalinowski criticized the speed of the announcement and the lack of defined guardrails, describing the situation as a governance concern that required more deliberation.

OpenAI confirmed Kalinowski’s departure and reiterated its stance that the agreement respects its red lines, noting that the company will continue to engage with employees, government officials, civil‑society groups, and communities worldwide. The resignation underscores the broader debate within the tech industry about the ethical implications of deploying advanced AI systems in defense contexts, particularly regarding surveillance and autonomous weaponry.

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