OpenAI is taking a big step to connect talent with opportunity as the AI-powered startup is unveiling two initiatives designed to bridge the gap between skills and jobs: the OpenAI Jobs Platform and OpenAI Certifications. The programs aim to equip workers with practical AI skills while helping companies find the talent they need to compete in an increasingly tech-driven economy.
The Jobs Platform, scheduled to launch by mid-2026, will match businesses of all sizes. From local governments to small and large corporations with workers trained in AI. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s certification program will offer courses ranging from basic AI applications to advanced prompt engineering, with a goal of certifying 10 million Americans by 2030. Walmart is among the first partners to integrate these certifications into employee training programs.
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“At Walmart, we know the future of retail won’t be defined by technology alone—it will be defined by people who know how to use it. By bringing AI training directly to our associates, we’re putting the most powerful technology of our time in their hands—giving them the skills to rewrite the playbook and shape the future of retail,” said John Furner, CEO, Walmart U.S., as quoted by the company in their blog post.
With this two-pronged strategy, OpenAI is setting itself up as a serious competitor to established job platforms such as LinkedIn. Unlike traditional services that primarily focus on listing job openings and matching candidates with employers, OpenAI’s approach combines job placement with skill development. Candidates will not only find opportunities but will also have access to structured training and certifications that prepare them for the roles they are seeking. Even last year, LinkedIn has added a range of AI-powered features designed to make job matching more precise.
The company noted that, “we want to put AI, and the power that comes with it, in the hands of as many people as possible. But it’s also important to make sure those people know how to use AI to be more productive, shape the world around them, and control their own destiny in new ways.”
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“That’s why we’re working with a broad range of organizations—from major employers like Walmart and John Deere, to professional services firms like Boston Consulting Group and Accenture, to job search and hiring platform Indeed, to community organizations like the Texas Association of Business and the Bay Area Council, to state governments like the Delaware governor’s office—to help everyone take advantage of the opportunities that AI has to offer,” the post added.
This could significantly change the way companies hire technology talent, allowing employers to access workers who are already trained in the latest tools and techniques, while giving job seekers a faster path into high-demand positions. By integrating learning and hiring into a single platform, OpenAI aims to address both sides of the workforce equation at once, making the process more efficient for companies and more accessible for employees.
OpenAI says these programs are part of its effort to support the White House’s push to increase AI literacy across the country.