OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has revealed plans to launch a LinkedIn-style job platform and a companion AI certification program that could help millions find jobs.
Altman unveiled the initiative during a high-profile dinner at the White House, alongside other major tech CEOs. He confirmed the launch of the AI-powered job matching platform and the certification program aimed at training 10 million Americans by 2030.
Could this be the "social media platform" that hit the news a few months ago? The company says its job site will be designed to reshape how companies find talent in an increasing AI-driven workforce.
The initiative to develop a new AI-forward job platform and certificate program marks a major expansion into hiring, credentialing and workforce development that could, once again, put OpenAI in direct competition with some of its biggest allies.
OpenAI job platform to launch next year
The upcoming OpenAI Jobs Platform will use large language models to match employers with AI-literate candidates. This will include those with entry-level skills to mid-career prompt engineers and senior enterprise automation experts. This initative could support companies in discovering and hiring talent that understands AI in real world contexts.
According to the blog on OpenAI's site, the platform will also cater to small businesses, nonprofits and state governments looking to modernize their hiring pipelines using generative AI.
AI certifications, inside ChatGPT
It's evident that OpenAI wants to encourage learning among its users. Alongside the jobs platform, OpenAI is launching OpenAI Certifications; a new program embedded in ChatGPT’s Study mode.
Certifications will assess everything from basic AI literacy to advanced prompt engineering, with interactive, tiered assessments built directly into the ChatGPT experience.
The company hopes to certify 10 million Americans by 2030, working with partners like Walmart, BCG, John Deere, Accenture and Indeed. State-level collaborations — including pilot programs in Delaware and Texas, are already in motion, as stated on OpenAI's website in the aforementioned blog.
While fears of AI-driven layoffs are real, the move towards AI certifications mirrors an even bigger shift in the job market trend of skills-first hiring. Instead of formal degrees or credentials, employers are prioritizing hands-on AI competency, especially as LLMs like GPT-5 become essential tools in everyday workflows.
Ironically, this new push pits OpenAI against LinkedIn, which is owned by Microsoft and is OpenAI's biggest investor. The move underscores a growing tension between the two companies as OpenAI increasingly steps into Microsoft's territory, from job platforms to productivity tools.
Bottom line
OpenAI’s bold step into workforce development could redefine how we measure skills, hire talent and future-proof careers. For those hoping to land a job or level-up their current team, AI fluency might be soon be one of the biggest skills on a resume. And, OpenAI wants to be the one to make that happen.
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