OpenAI Hires Former U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll as Advisor
OpenAI has hired former U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll as Senior Advisor for National Security and Modernization. In this role, he will help drive AI applications in defense and cybersecurity while promoting democratic AI development. This hire highlights the deepening intersection between major AI labs and national security, reflecting how tech companies are actively integrating former military officials to navigate defense contracts and geopolitical strategies. It also marks a major evolution for OpenAI as it expands its footprint in government and defense applications. Driscoll, who became the youngest U.S. Army Secretary at age 38, resigned in August following leadership tensions with Defense Minister Pete Hegseth. His appointment follows OpenAI's recent policy shift allowing military uses and a deal to deploy its models in the Pentagon's classified network.
## BACKGROUND
OpenAI was originally founded as a non-profit research organization before transitioning into a commercial enterprise and lifting bans on military applications. Competitor Anthropic previously lost a major Pentagon contract due to disputes over autonomous weapons and mass surveillance, paving the way for OpenAI's expansion into defense partnerships.