OpenAI has appointed Dan Driscoll, the former U.S. Army secretary, as senior counsellor for national security modernisation. Driscoll, known for pushing rapid tech adoption at the Pentagon and organising Operation Jailbreak to improve weapons communications, will help the AI leader work with allies to advance responsible, democratic AI use. The move underscores OpenAI’s push into defence, following expanded Pentagon ties and deployments in Europe and Ukraine. OpenAI also revealed it is deferring its IPO, targeting $20bn in private funding amid AI security concerns and recent high‑profile breaches.
Driscoll’s appointment signals a blend of military expertise and AI ambition, aiming to align AI development with national security needs while navigating the technology’s dual role as both a defence asset and potential vulnerability. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman highlighted the "extraordinary opportunity" to lead democratic AI adoption globally.
The hiring follows OpenAI’s recent cyber‑defence contracts in France, Germany, Poland and Ukraine, and comes as the firm adjusts its fundraising, cutting its target to $20bn and lowering its valuation to $1.25tn after earlier $30bn and $1.4tn goals.
Source: Financial Times Companies · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing