OpenAI hires former US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll as senior advisor for national security modernization

OpenAI has hired former US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll for a newly created senior advisor role responsible for national security modernization, with a focus on how AI can strengthen US national security and cybersecurity. He will work with OpenAI leadership and external partners, with particular emphasis on helping US allies adopt advanced AI responsibly. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the US has a special opportunity to promote "democratic AI" together with other countries, and that Driscoll's joining will help strengthen US leadership in this technology. Driscoll said national security needs are changing faster than at any time in the past fifty years, and that AI can help reduce paperwork, process information and provide answers faster. He stepped down as Army Secretary this year after reportedly months of tense relations with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth; during his tenure he pushed for modernization of the US military, including expanding US allies' access to drones and counter-drone technology.