TLDR
- OpenAI named Dan Driscoll as senior counselor for national security modernization.
- The role is newly created and was announced on Monday.
- Driscoll resigned as Army secretary earlier this year after tension with Pete Hegseth.
- He will work with government, industry and academic partners on “democratic AI.”
- The hire follows OpenAI’s deal to deploy its models in classified Pentagon environments.
OpenAI has appointed Dan Driscoll, a former US Secretary of the Army, to a newly created role. The AI startup announced the move on Monday. His title is senior counselor for national security modernization.
Driscoll will advise OpenAI’s leadership on national security matters. He will also work with outside partners. The focus is how advanced AI can improve national security and cybersecurity.
What Driscoll Will Do at OpenAI
OpenAI said Driscoll will engage with several groups. These include government officials, industry leaders and academic institutions. The goal is to advance practical projects for what OpenAI calls “democratic AI.”
He will also help OpenAI’s internal teams. The company said he will explain the operational needs of national security organizations around the world. This is meant to guide how teams build and apply the technology.
The Financial Times reported the news first. It said the role will focus on expanding the use of artificial intelligence across US and allied defense institutions. Reuters later confirmed the appointment with the company.
Driscoll shared a statement about the move. “I’m joining OpenAI to help the United States and our allies put this technology to work responsibly, for the people who keep us safe,” he said. He did not give further details on his duties.
Driscoll’s Background
Driscoll resigned as Army secretary earlier this year. The departure followed months of reported tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The reports did not describe the exact causes of the disagreement.
Driscoll became known outside the Pentagon during the war in Ukraine. President Donald Trump chose him to take part in talks with Moscow and Kyiv. The aim of the talks was to end the war.
That task is rare for an Army secretary. Diplomatic talks of this kind are usually handled by other officials. Driscoll took part in the discussions on behalf of the Trump administration.
The hire comes after another OpenAI move involving the Pentagon. The company previously agreed to deploy its AI models in classified Pentagon environments. The Financial Times linked the new appointment to that agreement.
OpenAI is a privately held AI startup. It has not shared details on Driscoll’s pay or start date. The company also has not said how large his team will be.
Reuters reported the news on Monday, November 2. The article was updated shortly after it was first published. The Financial Times report came earlier the same day.
OpenAI said the new role is meant to guide its work with national security groups. Driscoll will begin advising company leaders in the new position. OpenAI has not announced any other new hires for the role.
