The hardware chief of OpenAI resigns over a deal with the Pentagon
The hardware chief of OpenAI, Caitlin Kalinowski, announced her resignation over the company’s deal with the U.S. Department of Defense. She expressed concerns about the haste of the deal and the lack of clear safeguards against negative consequences.
Caitlin Kalinowski, who joined OpenAI in November 2024, stated that her decision was principled and emphasized her high respect for the company’s CEO Sam Altman and the team. Before joining OpenAI, Kalinowski was involved in developing augmented reality glasses at Meta.
The OpenAI deal with the Pentagon, announced on February 28, 2026, involves deploying AI models in classified networks. CEO Sam Altman stressed that the deal does not involve the use of technologies for surveillance or the development of autonomous weapons. However, on March 1, Altman admitted that he was hasty in making the arrangements and announced planned changes to the deal. These changes include a ban on internal surveillance, distancing from intelligence, and additional technological restrictions.
Following the announcement of the deal, users began massively deleting the ChatGPT app. According to Sensor Tower, on February 28, the number of deletions increased by 295% compared to the previous day.
The importance of the situation lies in the impact of artificial intelligence technologies on national security and civil liberties. Experts warn that such collaborations may provoke public outrage and reduce trust in tech giants.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 28, 2026 | OpenAI’s deal with the Pentagon announced |
| March 1, 2026 | Sam Altman’s acknowledgment of hasty arrangements |
| March 3, 2026 | Announcement of planned changes to the deal |
