OpenAI hires former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll for national security role

A new role for national security

OpenAI has officially hired Dan Driscoll to serve as the company's senior counselor for national security modernization. This is a newly created position designed to provide high-level guidance on how artificial intelligence can be applied to defense and cyber security. The company intends for Driscoll to work directly with its senior leadership and various external partners.

In this capacity, Driscoll will focus on identifying ways that AI can strengthen the security infrastructure of the United States. He will also play a key role in helping U.S. allies adopt advanced AI technologies in a responsible manner. The goal is to ensure that the deployment of these tools aligns with broader security objectives and safety standards.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman noted that the U.S. has a significant opportunity to work with other nations to promote the adoption of democratic AI. By bringing in a former high-ranking military official, the company aims to solidify American leadership in the evolving technology landscape. This appointment marks a clear step toward integrating private sector AI innovation with public sector security needs.

Driscoll's military background

Dan Driscoll is a veteran of the Iraq War who previously served as the U.S. Army Secretary. During his time in government, he was a vocal advocate for modernizing the U.S. military. His efforts included pushing for expanded access to drone and counter-drone technologies among various U.S. allies.

His transition to the private sector comes after he resigned from his role as Army secretary earlier this year. This departure followed months of reported tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Despite these internal frictions, Driscoll's experience in military modernization remains a central component of his new role at OpenAI.

Driscoll has also been involved in high-level diplomatic discussions regarding international conflicts. For example, he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv in November 2025 to discuss a U.S.-proposed peace plan. These experiences provide him with a unique perspective on the intersection of technology, diplomacy, and active warfare.

Operationalizing AI in defense

At OpenAI, Driscoll will work to help internal teams understand the specific operational needs of national security institutions. This is intended to bridge the gap between the technical capabilities of AI and the practical requirements of government agencies. He will help the company build on its existing efforts to protect essential services.

One specific area of focus will be the company's Daybreak program. This initiative is designed to strengthen cyber resilience and protect critical infrastructure from digital threats. By leveraging Driscoll's expertise, OpenAI hopes to make these tools more effective for government use cases.

Driscoll highlighted that the requirements for national security are changing faster than they have in the last fifty years. He suggested that AI could be used to reduce paperwork and process large amounts of information more quickly. These efficiencies are intended to provide faster answers to those working in high-pressure security environments.

Promoting democratic AI

A significant portion of Driscoll's new mandate involves working with a wide range of stakeholders. This includes government officials, industry leaders, academic institutions, and allied organizations. The overarching goal of these collaborations is to advance what OpenAI describes as democratic AI.

By working with these diverse groups, OpenAI aims to create a framework for AI development that serves democratic values. This involves not just the technology itself, but also the policies and norms surrounding its use. Driscoll's role is to ensure these values are embedded in the way the technology is shared and adopted globally.

The company's strategy appears to be one of proactive engagement with the international community. Rather than letting AI adoption happen in a vacuum, OpenAI wants to lead the conversation with allies. This approach is designed to ensure that the benefits of AI are shared while mitigating potential risks to security.

The path forward for OpenAI

The hiring of Driscoll represents a strategic shift for OpenAI as it seeks to become a primary partner for national security. By creating a dedicated counselor role, the company is signaling that it views security as a core component of its business model. This move may set a precedent for how other AI labs interact with the defense community.

Moving forward, the success of this role will likely be measured by how effectively OpenAI can integrate its models into government workflows. Driscoll will need to navigate the complex regulations and sensitivities associated with national security data. His ability to balance these needs with the company's technical goals will be a key factor in the program's success.

As the technology continues to evolve, the partnership between OpenAI and the U.S. government will likely expand. The focus on cyber resilience and democratic AI adoption suggests a long-term commitment to shaping the geopolitical landscape of artificial intelligence. This move places OpenAI at the center of the ongoing conversation regarding the role of AI in modern warfare and national defense.

Watch

• How OpenAI's Daybreak program evolves in collaboration with government agencies.
• The specific types of AI tools that will be prioritized for U.S. allies.
• Potential reactions from other AI labs to OpenAI's deepening ties with the defense sector.

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