November 3, 2026, (Inside AI) — OpenAI has appointed Dan Driscoll, the 26th Secretary of the United States Army, as its first Senior Counselor for National Security Modernization. The newly created role places a former service secretary inside the company to advise on how advanced AI can strengthen national and cyber security, with a particular focus on working with U.S. allies.
Driscoll will work with OpenAI's senior leadership and external partners across governments, industry, academia, and allied institutions. He will also help internal teams understand the operational needs of global national security institutions. The appointment marks a direct move by OpenAI to embed military and defense expertise at the executive level.
The hire comes as AI companies face growing scrutiny over their defense work. OpenAI has previously worked with allies and partners on cyber resilience and protecting essential services under its Daybreak program. Driscoll's role extends that effort into policy and strategy modernization.
Driscoll's background spans military service, law, and the private sector. As Army Secretary, he oversaw operations, modernization, and resource allocation for nearly 1 million Active, Guard, and Reserve soldiers and more than 265,000 Army civilians. He drove Army transformation focused on accelerating the fielding of new technology and reforming acquisition.
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His appointment signals a bet that AI adoption in national security will depend less on technology and more on institutional change. Driscoll will advise public and private sector partners on modernizing policy and strategy choices to unlock practical uses of AI. He will work to identify where operational needs, institutional change, and emerging AI capabilities come together.
"Dan Driscoll will join OpenAI as Senior Counselor for National Security Modernization, working with senior leadership and external partners to advise on how advanced AI can strengthen national and cyber security, with a particular focus on working with U.S. allies to advance its responsible use," OpenAI said in a statement.
The move reflects a broader trend. Defense agencies have struggled to integrate AI tools at the speed of commercial innovation. Acquisition cycles often run for years, while AI models update in months. Driscoll's mandate appears designed to bridge that gap by helping institutions adapt their processes rather than just their software.
OpenAI's Daybreak program has already focused on cyber resilience and protecting essential services. Driscoll's role will likely expand that work into allied nations and democratic institutions. The company said his appointment reflects a commitment to helping democratic institutions use advanced AI responsibly to strengthen shared security.
Critics of military AI partnerships argue that corporate involvement in defense can blur lines of accountability. OpenAI has not disclosed specific projects Driscoll will oversee or how his advice will be measured. The company also did not say whether the role is full-time or advisory.
Driscoll's experience in law and business may help OpenAI navigate the complex procurement and policy landscapes of allied governments. His Army tenure included reforms aimed at speeding technology fielding, a challenge that mirrors the AI adoption gap in many defense ministries.
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The appointment follows a series of moves by AI firms to hire former government officials. These hires often aim to build trust with regulators and defense clients. For OpenAI, Driscoll's credibility with military leadership could open doors to contracts and partnerships that require deep institutional knowledge.
OpenAI said Driscoll will work with teams and leaders across governments, industry, academia, and allied institutions to advance practical modernization initiatives that support the buildout of democratic AI. The company did not provide a timeline for his first initiatives.
As AI capabilities advance, the line between commercial and defense applications continues to narrow. Driscoll's role will test whether a former service secretary can help OpenAI and its partners move from pilot projects to sustained operational use. The outcome could shape how democratic nations adopt AI for security in the coming decade.
