OpenAI has appointed former U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to a newly created position as senior counselor for national security modernization. In his new role, Driscoll will advise the company’s executive leadership and external partners on artificial intelligence applications related to national security and cybersecurity, while also helping U.S. allies adopt advanced AI capabilities responsibly.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated that the United States possesses an extraordinary opportunity to collaborate internationally to promote the adoption of democratic artificial intelligence, noting that Driscoll’s addition will help fortify American technological leadership.
Reflecting on the shifting landscape of defense requirements, Driscoll emphasized the pace of change currently facing the sector. National security requirements are changing faster than at any time in the past fifty years, Driscoll noted, adding that artificial intelligence can streamline administrative burdens, accelerate data processing, and deliver rapid answers to defense professionals. Driscoll stated he joined the organization to help the U.S. and its allies deploy the technology responsibly for the people who keep the nation safe.
The appointment follows Driscoll’s departure from his post as Army secretary earlier this year, which followed months of reported tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Driscoll is an Iraq war veteran who previously championed military modernization initiatives, including broadening allied access to drone and counter-drone systems according to prior U.S. Army announcements.
Beyond his tenure at the Pentagon, Driscoll traveled to Kyiv in November 2025 to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding a U.S.-backed peace framework intended to resolve the conflict with Russia, as documented by the Ukrainian Presidential Office.
In his capacity at OpenAI, Driscoll will coordinate with government officials, corporate executives, academic institutions, and allied bodies to advance what the enterprise designates as democratic AI. He will additionally assist internal engineering and research teams in understanding the operational workflows of defense and security institutions, drawing on company initiatives such as the Daybreak program designed to enhance cyber resilience and safeguard critical infrastructure.
