OpenAI hires former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll for national security role
OpenAI has appointed former U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll as senior counselor for national security modernization to help expand AI adoption across defense institutions and allied partners.
OpenAI has appointed former U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to the newly created role of senior counselor for national security modernization, according to reporting by the Financial Times and company announcements. In this position, Driscoll will advise OpenAI leadership and collaborate with public and private sector partners, as well as U.S. allies, on modernizing defense strategy, policy, and cybersecurity capabilities.[5][2][1][7][4]
Driscoll served as the 26th Secretary of the Army for roughly 18 months after being nominated by Donald Trump in December 2024. An Iraq War veteran, drone specialist, and close friend of Vice President JD Vance, Driscoll previously pushed to accelerate technological adoption within the military before resigning in September 2026 amid reported tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Driscoll has voiced support for using artificial intelligence to reduce military bureaucracy and enable faster operational decision-making.[2][8][6]
The appointment arrives as OpenAI actively expands its government and defense footprint. The company holds a Pentagon AI contract valued at up to $200 million and recently struck an agreement to deploy its AI models into classified Pentagon environments following the breakdown of military negotiations with rival Anthropic. Driscoll joins a growing roster of former Trump administration officials moving into roles at OpenAI.[2][8][3][4]
Key facts
- OpenAI appointed former U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to the newly created role of senior counselor for national security modernization.
- Driscoll served as the 26th Secretary of the Army for approximately 18 months before resigning in September 2026.
- Driscoll is an Iraq War veteran, drone specialist, and close friend of Vice President JD Vance.
- Driscoll resigned from the Pentagon amid reported friction and clashes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
- OpenAI holds a Pentagon contract worth up to $200 million and agreed to deploy AI models in classified military environments after negotiations with Anthropic collapsed.
- Driscoll will advise OpenAI leadership on expanding AI adoption across national defense and cyber operations with U.S. allies.
Sources · 8 sources
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Decrypt@DecryptMediaPost on X ·
OpenAI Hires Former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll for National Security Role. OpenAI has appointed former US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to a newly created role of Senior Counselor for National Security Modernization, advising on how AI can strengthen national and cyber security with allies.
Open source - AG
AGTP@AGTPinsightsPost on X ·
OpenAI just hired former US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll for a new national security role. Here's what you need to know. Driscoll joins as Senior Counselor for National Security Modernization. It's a newly created role at OpenAI. The Financial Times broke the news, and OpenAI has since posted its own announcement. His LinkedIn page also lists the title. OpenAI says he will advise on how advanced AI can strengthen national and cyber security. The focus is on working with US allies to advance its responsible use. He will also advise public and private sector partners on modernizing policy and strategy, to unlock practical uses of AI. The hire comes as the US military looks to expand its use of AI. Driscoll is the 26th Secretary of the Army. He is an Iraq War veteran and a close friend of Vice President JD Vance. He is also described as a drone expert. At the Pentagon he pushed to bring in new technology faster. He left the Army job only about two months ago. He resigned in September after roughly 18 months, amid reported tension and clashes with Defense Secretary Hegseth. Trump named him as his nominee on December 4, 2024. He is not the only Trump-era official at OpenAI. Reports say OpenAI has hired at least 3 other former Trump officials. One is Mark Esper, Trump's former defense secretary. Another is ex-NSA cyber chief Paul Nakasone, who is already on the team. OpenAI has been deepening its defense ties. It struck a deal with the Department of War in March, and changed it after backlash. It also holds a Pentagon AI contract worth up to $200 million. Key numbers: - Role: Senior Counselor for National Security Modernization - Announced: November 2, 2026 - Time since leaving the Army: about 2 months - Time as Army Secretary: about 18 months - Pentagon AI contract: up to $200 million Driscoll's job at OpenAI is to advise on military and allied adoption of AI.
Open source - CB
Coin Bureau@coinbureauPost on X ·
JUST IN: 🇺🇸 OpenAI hires former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, the latest Trump official to join the AI giant. Driscoll ran the US Army until 2 months ago and joins OpenAI to work on national security modernization, per the FT. OpenAI has hired at least 3 other former Trump officials this year: Peter Bowman-Davis, HHS's former chief AI officer Dean Ball, a former senior White House AI policy adviser Thomas Lind, the White House cyber office's former AI policy chief
Open source - TE
TechmemeArticle ·
OpenAI hires ex-US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to oversee national security modernization, as it pushes to secure government contracts and shape military policy (Gareth Vipers/Wall Street Journal) Gareth Vipers / Wall Street Journal : OpenAI hires ex-US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to oversee national security modernization, as it pushes to secure government contracts and shape military policy — Driscoll will advise on ways AI could bolster U.S. security capabilities and cyber defenses — OpenAI has appointed former …
Open source - FT
Financial Times@FTPost on X ·
OpenAI hires former US Army secretary as military seeks to expand AI use https://t.co/36h4GUSVtb
Open source - MN
Mario Nawfal@MarioNawfalPost on X ·
🚨🇺🇸 OpenAI taps former Army Secretary for NATIONAL SECURITY role Fmr. U.S. Army Sec. Dan Driscoll is the latest senior defense official to enter the private AI sector. He'll advise OpenAI leadership and work with U.S. allies to expand the responsible use of AI in national security and cybersecurity. Driscoll believes AI could reduce bureaucracy and help security personnel make faster decisions. CEO Sam Altman said the appointment will strengthen American leadership in AI. Another national security official trades Washington for Silicon Valley… Source: CNBC, Reuters / Writer: Marie
Open source - CO
Cointelegraph@CointelegraphPost on X ·
🚨 NOW: OpenAI has hired former US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll as senior counselor for national security modernization, as the military looks to expand its use of AI. https://t.co/nXYBNZ7U0L
Open source - WS
Wall St Engine@wallstenginePost on X ·
OPENAI HIRES FORMER U.S. ARMY SECRETARY: FT Dan Driscoll will join OpenAI as senior counselor for national security modernization, helping the company expand AI adoption across U.S. and allied defense institutions. An Iraq War veteran and close friend of Vice President JD Vance, Driscoll previously pushed to accelerate military technology adoption before resigning amid tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The appointment follows OpenAI's recent agreement to deploy its AI models in classified Pentagon environments after the military's negotiations with Anthropic broke down.
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