OpenAI has hired former U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll as Senior Counselor for National Security Modernization. The company announced the newly created role on Monday, Nov. 2. Driscoll will advise OpenAI's senior leaders and outside partners on how advanced AI can strengthen national security and cybersecurity, the protection of computer networks from attack. OpenAI says he will focus in particular on working with U.S. allies on using AI responsibly.
OpenAI says Driscoll will work with leaders in governments, industry, universities and allied institutions on practical projects to modernize national security work. He will also help OpenAI's own teams understand what national security agencies around the world need. The company ties the work to what it calls "democratic AI", and says the goal is to help ensure the world builds AI that supports democratic principles. It says the appointment builds on its work with allies and partners, under its Daybreak program, to protect computer systems and essential services.
"National security requirements are changing faster than at any time in the past fifty years," Driscoll said. He said AI can help the people who serve by cutting through paperwork, making sense of more information and getting the right answer to the right person faster. OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman said the U.S. has "an extraordinary opportunity to work with other countries to spread the adoption of democratic AI."
As the Army's 26th secretary, Driscoll oversaw nearly one million active-duty, National Guard and Reserve soldiers and more than 265,000 civilian staff. OpenAI says he pushed to get new technology to soldiers faster and to reform how the Army buys equipment. He stepped down as Army secretary earlier this year after months of tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to a news report.
The hire follows other national security work at OpenAI. In August, OpenAI said it would give $5 million in training, technical support and credits for using its AI to government bodies that oversee how democratic governments use AI for national security.
OpenAI has not said which countries or agencies Driscoll will work with first, or whether the role is tied to any new government contract.