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OpenAI hardware leader resigns after deal with the Pentagon

Kalinowski wrote she has "deep respect" for OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and the team, but the company announced the ⁠Pentagon deal "without the guardrails defined."

BusinessBy Catherine ChenMarch 8, 20262 min read

Last updated: March 30, 2026, 6:57 PM

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OpenAI hardware leader resigns after deal with the Pentagon

Samuel Boivin | Nurphoto | Getty Images

Caitlin Kalinowski, who ⁠oversaw hardware at OpenAI, announced her resignation on Saturday, citing concerns about ​the company's agreement ​with the Department ​of Defense.

In a social media post on X, Kalinowski wrote that OpenAI did not take enough time before agreeing ⁠to ‌deploy its AI models on the Pentagon's ⁠classified cloud networks.

"AI has an important role in national security," Kalinowski posted. "But surveillance of Americans without judicial oversight and lethal autonomy without ‌human authorization are lines that deserved more deliberation than they got."

"It's a governance concern ‌first and foremost," 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 Saturday reiterated that ⁠its "red lines" preclude use of its technology in domestic surveillance or autonomous weapons.

"We recognize 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.

Kalinowski joined OpenAI ​in 2024 after leading augmented reality ‌hardware development at Meta Platforms.

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Catherine Chen

Financial Correspondent

Catherine Chen covers finance, Wall Street, and the global economy with a focus on business strategy. A former financial analyst turned journalist, she translates complex economic data into clear, actionable reporting. Her coverage spans Federal Reserve policy, cryptocurrency markets, and international trade.

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