OpenAI Hires Former U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll as Senior Advisor for National Security Modernization
OpenAI has hired former U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll for the newly created role of "Senior Advisor for National Security Modernization," where he will work with government, industry, academia, and U.S. allies to use AI to strengthen national security and cyber defense. Driscoll served as the 26th Secretary of the Army, overseeing nearly one million soldiers and more than 265,000 civilian employees, and during his tenure pushed AI modernization projects including Project ARIA. The report says he is a close ally of Vice President JD Vance and maintains good relations with both parties in Congress; previously, in late February 2026, the Pentagon designated Anthropic as a "supply chain risk," and on the same day Sam Altman announced an agreement with the Pentagon to deploy models on classified networks.
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OpenAI has hired a former Army Secretary for a new national security-related position; the original text also details his military AI procurement experience and bipartisan connections, revealing the company's approach to building its defense business.
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OpenAI is pushing hard to become the go-to AI company for US national security and defense.
The company hired Dan Driscoll, the former civilian head of the US Army, as "Senior Counselor for National Security Modernization." The Wall Street Journal reads the move as a clear signal that OpenAI wants closer ties with the military, a bigger share of government contracts, and a seat at the table when rules for AI use in the armed forces and intelligence agencies get written.
In his newly created role, Driscoll will work with governments, industry, academia, and US allies to strengthen national security and cyber defense through AI, according to OpenAI . He'll also help OpenAI's teams better understand what security institutions actually need on the ground. Driscoll says national security requirements are shifting faster than at any point in the past 50 years. AI can take the load off bureaucracies, process more intelligence, and route answers to the right people faster.
Driscoll already pushed AI modernization inside the Army
As the 26th Secretary of the Army, Driscoll oversaw nearly one million soldiers and more than 265,000 civilian employees. During his tenure, he drove AI modernization across the service branch, including through Project ARIA , an initiative that brought AI tools to budgeting, logistics, and tactical model deployment. That gives him some hands-on experience in military AI procurement.
Driscoll submitted his resignation in late August 2026. Reports point to months of friction with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who repeatedly removed senior officers or blocked their promotions over Driscoll's objections.
Beyond his Pentagon connections, Driscoll could open doors on Capitol Hill. A close ally of Vice President JD Vance, he maintains strong relationships with both parties in Congress, according to AP . That bipartisan network could prove especially useful if the balance of power shifts after the current midterm elections .
OpenAI filled the gap after Anthropic's Pentagon ban
In late February 2026, the Pentagon classified rival Anthropic as a " supply chain risk " after CEO Dario Amodei refused to drop restrictions on mass surveillance and autonomous weapons from his contracts.
That same day, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced his own deal with the Pentagon to deploy its models on classified networks. Altman stressed that the agreement included safeguards similar to the ones Anthropic had fought to keep.