OpenAI hires Dan Driscoll for national security role

The hire stands out because it runs against a recent pattern of companies staffing up with Democrats ahead of the midterm elections. OpenAI's decision to bring in a top Republican operative close to the vice president signals that it is placing a premium on its standing with the current administration, which remains in office for another two years — a long stretch in the fast-moving AI sector.

Beyond the political optics, the role itself points to where OpenAI sees leverage. National security officials play a powerful part in deciding which new models get approved for use and who can access them. By adding a former Army secretary with direct Pentagon experience, OpenAI appears to be positioning itself to work more closely with the government on those approvals, regardless of how the elections turn out.