OpenAI has hired Dan Driscoll, the former US Army secretary, as the US military looks to use more AI. Here is why that matters for everyday users.
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has hired Dan Driscoll, who recently served as the US Army secretary. He will join as senior counsellor for national security modernisation. The move comes as the US military looks to expand its use of artificial intelligence, according to the Financial Times.
As Army secretary, Driscoll was the top civilian leader of the Army. That means he oversaw the service on behalf of elected officials rather than serving as a uniformed officer. At OpenAI, his title points to work on helping national security agencies update how they operate.
Many people use AI tools from OpenAI at home and at work. When a company builds closer ties to the military, it may shape how that company thinks about safety and how it handles data. Hiring someone with Driscoll's background suggests national security is a growing priority for the business.
The material available does not say what Driscoll will do day to day. It does not name specific military projects or contracts. It also does not say whether anything will change for people who use OpenAI products. Those details would help show how large this effort is.
Watch for announcements from OpenAI or the US military about new partnerships or rules for AI use. Any change to how user data is handled would likely be explained in the company's policies.
AI companies are building closer ties to the military, so it is worth watching how OpenAI explains its data and safety practices.
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