OpenAI hires former US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll for security

OpenAI has announced a strategic new appointment aimed at strengthening its engagement with government and military agencies. Dan Driscoll, who previously served as the 26th Secretary of the Army, has been named senior advisor for national security modernization. This is a newly created position within the company designed to coordinate efforts regarding artificial intelligence applications in national and cybersecurity.

• Appointment of Dan Driscoll as senior advisor for national security at OpenAI.
• Development of the democratic AI concept and adaptation to national security needs.
• Driscoll's background as Army Secretary and his departure from the Pentagon in 2026.
• Expansion of ongoing company initiatives, including the Daybreak critical service protection program.

Role and Responsibilities of Dan Driscoll

In his new capacity, Dan Driscoll will advise company leadership and actively interact with government departments, industry representatives, universities, and international partners. His primary objective is to ensure that the deployment of artificial intelligence contributes effectively to strengthening national and cybersecurity for allies. Company management expects his expertise to help advance the concept of democratic AI, which emphasizes the responsible and safe dissemination of advanced technologies.

Furthermore, a crucial task for the new advisor will be helping OpenAI's internal research and engineering teams better understand the real operational needs and working tasks of various national security services worldwide. Driscoll himself stated that his main motivation is to help the United States and its allies responsibly use emerging technologies to protect people. His diplomatic background is expected to bridge the gap between the private tech sector and governmental bodies.

Professional Background and Pentagon Departure

Prior to joining the artificial intelligence sector, Dan Driscoll served as the 26th Secretary of the Army, overseeing its operations, modernization efforts, and resource allocation. Outside of the Pentagon, he gained notable recognition for his participation in diplomatic contacts, which was an unusual assignment for a sitting leader of the United States Army. This diverse experience makes him uniquely suited for navigating complex bureaucratic environments.

In 2026, Driscoll left his government post following several months of strained relations with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. According to American media reports, the disagreements involved army leadership practices and key personnel decisions within the Pentagon. Following these events, he transitioned to the private technology sector.

Expanding Security Operations at OpenAI

This high-level appointment comes amid a broader expansion of OpenAI's work in the field of national security. The company is already developing the Daybreak program, which aims to increase resilience against cyberattacks and protect critical infrastructure services, while also cooperating with European nations on cyber defense.

The creation of this new position is intended to connect OpenAI's vast technological capabilities with the practical missions of government and military structures. However, the company has not yet announced any specific new contracts or dedicated projects involving Driscoll as of the time of the announcement.