OpenAI's head of hardware products, Caitlin Kalinowski, announced her resignation following the signing of an agreement between the artificial intelligence company and the Pentagon. This agreement, concluded in February, authorizes the use of certain OpenAI technologies in areas related to defense and national security.
In a message posted on the social network X, the executive explained that her decision was based on matters of principle. She is particularly concerned about the risks associated with using AI for domestic surveillance of American citizens or for autonomous military systems operating without human control.
Concerns about the military use of artificial intelligence
The agreement between OpenAI and the US government was signed shortly after rival company Anthropic refused to provide the US military with unrestricted access to its artificial intelligence assistant, Claude. This situation had sparked political tensions in Washington.
In response to criticism, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman indicated that safeguards had been added to the agreement. One clause specifically stipulates that the company's AI systems must not be intentionally used to monitor American citizens. Caitlin Kalinowski, however, expressed regret that the announcement had been made too hastily, arguing that these governance issues required further consideration.
