OpenAI hires former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll
OpenAI has named Dan Driscoll, the 26th Secretary of the Army, to a newly created national security advisory role, a sign that the company is deepening its work with defense and allied governments.
OpenAI announced that Dan Driscoll will join the company as Senior Counselor for National Security Modernization. In the role, he will advise senior leadership and external partners on how advanced AI can strengthen national security and cybersecurity, with a particular focus on working with U.S. allies on responsible use.
OpenAI says the position is new. Driscoll will work with OpenAI teams and with leaders in government, industry, academia and allied institutions on what the company calls "practical modernization initiatives" that support "the buildout of democratic AI." He will also help internal teams understand the operational needs of national security institutions around the world.
As Secretary of the Army, Driscoll oversaw operations, modernization and resource allocation for nearly one million Active, Guard and Reserve soldiers and more than 265,000 Army civilians. OpenAI says he pushed to field new technology faster and to reform acquisition. He is a former Army officer and has also worked in law and business.
OpenAI said the appointment builds on its work with allies and partners under its Daybreak program, which focuses on cyber resilience and protecting essential services.
The role is advisory, not operational. The announcement did not say when Driscoll starts, who he reports to, or whether he will work on any specific government contracts or products.