OpenAI hires former U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll for national security role

WEST POINT, NEW YORK - MAY 23: Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll arrives for the United States Military Academy commencement ceremony in Michie Stadium at the U.S. Military Academy on May 23, 2026 in West Point, New York. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth was announced as the 2026 commencement speaker just two days before the event. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images)

Adam Gray | Getty Images News | Getty Images

OpenAI has hired former U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll as senior counselor for national security modernization, a newly created role at the company.

Driscoll will focus on how artificial intelligence can be used to strengthen U.S. national security and cybersecurity, OpenAI said, while his updated LinkedIn profile also lists his new position.

He will work with OpenAI's senior leadership and external partners, with a particular focus on helping U.S. allies adopt advanced AI responsibly.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the U.S. has "an extraordinary opportunity to work with other countries to spread the adoption of democratic AI," and that Driscoll's appointment would help strengthen American leadership in the technology.

"National security requirements are changing faster than at any time in the past fifty years," Driscoll said. He added that AI could help reduce paperwork, process information and deliver answers more quickly to those working in national security.

I'm joining OpenAI to help the U.S. and our allies put this technology to work responsibly, for the people who keep us safe.

Dan Driscoll

Senior Counselor, OpenAI

The appointment comes after Driscoll stepped down as Army secretary earlier this year after months of reported tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. 

An Iraq war veteran, Driscoll pushed efforts to modernize the U.S. military, including expanding access to drone and counter-drone technologies among U.S. allies, according to a previous U.S. Army announcement.