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OpenAI Hires Former U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll for National Security Role
Confirmed
In Short: OpenAI has appointed former U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll as a Senior Counselor for National Security Modernization.
OpenAI has appointed former U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to a newly created role as Senior Counselor for National Security Modernization, focusing on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in national security and defense.
In his role, Driscoll will advise on modernizing policies and strategies to incorporate AI into national security operations, emphasizing the need for responsible technology use.
Driscoll’s appointment underscores OpenAI’s ambition to become the go-to AI company for U.S. National security and defense, leveraging his extensive experience in military operations and modernization.
As Secretary of the Army, Driscoll oversaw nearly one million soldiers and more than 265,000 civilian employees, driving the transformation of the Army to accelerate the fielding of new technology and reform acquisition processes.
Driscoll’s move to OpenAI marks a return to the private sector after a five-year tenure in the Army, where he held several positions at venture capital and consulting firms.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman welcomed the appointment, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
Driscoll said he is looking forward to providing service members with the most advanced technology available in his new role, emphasizing the need for responsible technology use.
Driscoll’s appointment comes amid reported tensions within Pentagon leadership, with his resignation following disagreements with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over Army leadership and modernization priorities.
What this adds
Driscoll’s resignation from the Army was reported to be due to disagreements with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over Army leadership and modernization priorities.
What's confirmed
- "Senior Counselor for National Security Modernization."
- “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.
What's still developing
- Driscoll says national security requirements are shifting faster than at any point in the past 50 years.
- Beyond his Pentagon connections, Driscoll could open doors on Capitol Hill.
- He'll also help OpenAI's teams better understand what security institutions actually need on the ground.
- 31, with heavy speculation that he divided with War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s vision for the department.
- Fox News chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin discusses Army Secretary Dan Driscoll submitting his resignation to President Donald Trump, the reported tensions within Pentagon leadership and the latest developments in the escalating U.S.-Iran conflict, including what the shake-up could mean for America's military strategy and national security on 'America Reports.' President Donald Trump on Thursday announced he was appointing Adam Telle, assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works, as acting secretary of the Army.
- "I am pleased to announce that Adam Telle, the current Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, will become Acting Secretary of the Army, effective immediately," Trump posted on Truth Social.
- "He is a Great Patriot, who is respected by all." He made the announcement after Army Secretary Dan Driscoll submitted his resignation to the president earlier this week.
- Army Corps of Engineers' Civil Works program, where his responsibilities include flood and storm protection, commercial waterways and Clean Water Act permitting.
- Telle is viewed as having strong relationships with senators on Capitol Hill, which could prove important as the administration works to confirm Army nominees stalled in the Senate.
- Thad Cochran, R-Miss., where he served as deputy chief of staff, legislative director and the senator's top national security staffer.
- "I had the privilege of working with them to modernize and accelerate how the Army mans, trains, and equips the most lethal fighting force on the face of the earth," Driscoll said in a statement posted on X.