OpenAI Taps Former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll for National Security Role
OpenAI has appointed Dan Driscoll, the former civilian head of the US Army, as Senior Counselor for National Security Modernization. The move is expected to ease OpenAI's access to government contracts and give it influence over AI rules for the military and intelligence agencies.
OpenAI has appointed Dan Driscoll, the former civilian head of the US Army, as "Senior Counselor for National Security Modernization." The move could pave the way for the company to win government contracts and gives it influence over how future AI rules for the military and intelligence agencies will look. The appointment is therefore read as part of a broader strategy with which the company is positioning itself in the capital, Washington, as a reliable partner for security-relevant applications.
During his time at the head of the Army, Driscoll drove forward AI projects. His demonstrated expertise in a field where the armed forces are seeking new technologies makes him a sought-after interlocutor for an AI company. At the same time, he is considered a close ally of Vice President JD Vance. According to the source, despite this closeness to one side of the government, he maintains good relations with members of the House and senators from both major parties in Congress. This bipartisan anchoring is likely to gain importance for OpenAI, as the midterm elections are approaching and the majorities in Congress could shift as a result.
For a company that increasingly wants to offer its technology in security-relevant areas, the appointment is also a political signal. It shows that OpenAI is positioning itself in Washington not only through products but also through people, and across party lines. The question of which rules should apply to the use of AI in the military and intelligence services is expected to be negotiated in legislation and administration in the coming years. Whoever has contacts in both camps can influence the course of these debates. The source provides no details on specific contract values or on reactions from Congress to the appointment.
Source: the-decoder.com
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