On Monday, OpenAI announced it has hired Dan Driscoll, a former U.S. Army secretary, into a newly created national security position. The appointment stands out amid a recent wave of companies hiring Democrats in anticipation of political shifts expected this week.
Driscoll resigned roughly two months earlier after a clash with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. OpenAI said it created the role to draw on his experience and contacts on national security matters.
The hire is notable because Driscoll is a Republican operative who is reported to be close to the vice president, a choice that runs counter to the trend of tech firms preparing for a ‘‘blue wave.’’ For OpenAI, the move reflects an interest in advancing its priorities while it still retains the favor of the current executive branch: the company recognizes that the Trump administration’s national security apparatus remains a powerful influence over which new AI models are approved and who gains access to them.
The appointment highlights that political relationships and government approvals continue to matter in the AI sector, regardless of imminent election outcomes. By bringing Driscoll into a national security role, OpenAI appears to be positioning itself strategically to maintain engagement with the authorities who shape regulation and access.
Timing and implications
- Timing: the hire was announced on Monday; Driscoll resigned about two months earlier after his dispute with Pete Hegseth.
- Political implications: government and national security decisions can determine which AI models are authorized for use and who can access them.
OpenAI’s decision therefore goes beyond a routine hire: it is a strategic move during a period when political dynamics and national security decision-making can have outsized effects on AI development and deployment.
