Ex-Army Secretary Dan Driscoll Joins OpenAI in National Security Role
Dan Driscoll, who led the Army under Trump and briefly ran the ATF, is taking a newly created job at OpenAI advising on national security and 'democratic AI.'
Dan Driscoll, who served as Secretary of the Army under President Trump, is joining OpenAI in a newly created national security role, the company announced Monday. The move puts a recent senior Pentagon official inside one of the world’s leading AI developers as governments and allied institutions try to figure out how to use advanced AI safely.
What happened
OpenAI said Driscoll will be Senior Counselor for National Security Modernization. According to the company, he will advise senior leadership and outside partners on how advanced AI can strengthen national and cybersecurity, with a focus on working with U.S. allies to encourage responsible use.
The company said the job involves working across governments, industry, academia and allied institutions on practical modernization efforts that support what it calls the buildout of “democratic AI.” Driscoll will also help OpenAI’s internal teams understand how global national security institutions actually operate.
Driscoll became Army secretary last year and left the post in September 2026, according to the source report. He also served as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives during parts of 2025 and 2026, and his time in the two roles overlapped earlier this year.
In a statement released with the announcement, Driscoll said national security requirements are changing faster than at any point in the past fifty years, and that AI can help by reducing paperwork and getting information to the right people more quickly. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the U.S. has an opportunity to work with other countries to spread the adoption of democratic AI, and that Driscoll will help strengthen American leadership in that effort.
Why it matters
The hire signals that OpenAI wants a bigger, more formal presence in government and defense conversations, not just a commercial one. Placing a former service secretary in a strategy role suggests the company is preparing for deeper work with the U.S. military and allied governments, though the announcement does not describe any specific contracts or programs.
It also fits a broader pattern: AI companies are hiring national security veterans as governments write rules for military and intelligence uses of the technology. Driscoll’s dual experience at the Army and ATF gives him familiarity with agencies that handle both defense and domestic enforcement, which could be useful as OpenAI talks to different parts of government.
Key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| New role | Senior Counselor for National Security Modernization at OpenAI |
| Announced | Monday, by OpenAI |
| Prior posts | Secretary of the Army (from last year until September 2026); acting ATF director during parts of 2025 and 2026 |
| Stated focus | National and cybersecurity, allied cooperation, responsible use of advanced AI |
| Quote from Driscoll | National security needs are changing faster than in 50 years; AI can cut paperwork and speed information |
| Quote from Altman | Driscoll will help strengthen American leadership in spreading democratic AI |
What this means for you
- If you work with or sell to government agencies, expect AI vendors to pitch harder on national security and “democratic AI” partnerships. The announcement itself names no products or contracts, so treat specific claims with caution.
- For defense and intelligence watchers, the hire is a signal of intent, not a policy change. No new rules or programs were announced.
- For everyone else, the practical effect is indirect: more AI company lobbying and advising around government use of AI, which could shape future rules on how the technology is deployed.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Dan Driscoll?
He is a former Secretary of the Army under the Trump administration who left that post in September 2026, according to the source report. He also served as acting director of the ATF during parts of 2025 and 2026.
What will Driscoll do at OpenAI?
OpenAI says he will advise leadership and external partners on using advanced AI for national and cybersecurity, with a focus on U.S. allies, and help internal teams understand the needs of national security institutions.
Is this a lobbying job?
The announcement does not describe the role as lobbying. It is framed as advising on modernization and responsible use across governments, industry and academia.
Did OpenAI announce any government contracts?
No. The announcement names no contracts, agencies or specific programs.
What to watch next
It is not yet known which governments or allied institutions Driscoll will work with first, or whether the role leads to formal agreements. Watch for any OpenAI announcements involving defense or intelligence agencies, and for details on how the company defines “democratic AI” in practice.
- Dan Driscoll, former Secretary of the Army, is joining OpenAI in a newly created national security role.
- He will advise on using advanced AI for national and cybersecurity and work with U.S. allies.
- OpenAI announced no specific contracts or government programs with the hire.
