Caitlin Kalinowski, a senior robotics staffer at OpenAI, resigned over concerns about the company’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense.

She criticized the process, saying policy guardrails around national security uses of AI were not sufficiently defined, particularly regarding surveillance of Americans and lethal autonomous systems.

Kalinowski emphasized her resignation was about principle, not specific executives, and expressed respect for CEO Sam Altman and the robotics team.

OpenAI stated the agreement sets clear limits, prohibiting domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons, while allowing responsible defense applications, NPR has reported.

Kalinowski plans to continue working in robotics and physical AI, focusing on ethical and responsible development.