OpenAI is facing significant backlash following reports of a deal with the Pentagon, with protests erupting outside the company's San Francisco headquarters and a high-profile resignation from within the organization. According to reports, activists and celebrities have called for a boycott of ChatGPT in response to the agreement with the US Department of Defense.
On March 7, 2026, demonstrators gathered outside OpenAI's main office in San Francisco, with some activists spray-painting slogans on sidewalks while private security guards monitored the protest. The backlash intensified when OpenAI's robotics chief, Caitlin Kalinowski, resigned in protest the following day.
surveillance of Americans without legal oversight
Kalinowski reportedly objected specifically to what she described as 'surveillance of Americans without legal oversight' and 'lethal autonomy without human authorization' in the deal. In her resignation statement, she claimed the agreement was made without sufficient safeguards.
OpenAI has acknowledged Kalinowski's departure and stated they understand people have 'strong opinions' on these matters. The company maintains that the Pentagon deal creates a 'pathway for responsible use of AI for national security' while establishing red lines against domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons systems.
lethal autonomy without human authorization
The controversy comes as competitor Anthropic reportedly refused similar government requirements, leading to a surge in downloads of their Claude AI assistant, which allegedly gained one million new users daily during the period.
the agreement was made without sufficient safeguards
strong opinions
pathway for responsible use of AI for national security