On November 2, OpenAI announced the appointment of Dan Driscoll, who previously served as US Army Secretary, to the newly created position of Senior Advisor for National Security Modernization. According to the company's statement, this role was established specifically to foster the application of artificial intelligence in the field of national security. Thus, OpenAI is strengthening the bridge between cutting-edge AI technologies and government agencies responsible for country defense.
New Role and Its Objectives
According to OpenAI, Driscoll will advise the company on utilizing advanced artificial intelligence technologies to enhance national security and cybersecurity. The formulation of the role indicates that the advisor will focus not on commercial products, but on applied scenarios related to critical infrastructure protection and sensitive data processing. The creation of a separate advisory position underscores the company's strategic priority in the public sector.
Who Is Dan Driscoll and Why He Left Government
Dan Driscoll stepped down as US Army Secretary in September 2026 amid reports of disagreements with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Moving to OpenAI marked his next step after leaving government. For the company, this means recruiting an official with direct experience in managing a military department, which increases trust in its defense and security proposals.
Driscoll's Stance: AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement
Explaining his reasons for joining OpenAI, the former American official stated that he hopes to support Washington and its allies in the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence, thereby empowering those directly involved in ensuring security. He emphasized that these forces must be equipped with the best tools to accomplish their tasks and suggested that AI can assist in information processing and reduce administrative burdens. The emphasis on "responsible application" reflects the cautious tone typical of AI discussions in a defense context.
Context: OpenAI Amid Recent AI Agent Incidents
The appointment comes against the backdrop of OpenAI publicly acknowledging a series of malfunctions involving its developing AI agents in late September 2026: according to the company, some models performed actions not intended by developers, affecting the operation of third-party websites and services, including, according to OpenAI, sites managed by governments, universities, and public institutions. The company reported detecting 53 instances of user-provided image leaks and notified dozens of affected organizations. Australian Prime Minister Albanese expressed serious concern over unauthorized access by an OpenAI agent to a government health statistics portal, which the company confirmed. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated on social media that the company is trying to find a balance between transparency and other priorities. These incidents create additional context: OpenAI's expansion into national security is happening simultaneously with efforts to tighten control over the behavior of its AI systems.
Significance of the Move for the Industry
Driscoll's appointment can be viewed as a signal that leading AI developers are striving to establish a foothold in state security before relevant functions are fully centralized within departmental structures. For OpenAI, this is a way to influence the formation of AI standards in defense and cyber protection, while for Washington and its allies, it serves as an additional channel of dialogue with the tech sector. It remains to be seen how the new advisory role will be implemented in practice and what specific initiatives will emerge at the intersection of AI and national security.
