OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, has announced a new certification program aimed at equipping workers with artificial intelligence skills to meet the growing demand across businesses and government agencies.
The company said it plans to certify 10 million Americans by 2030.
The program, unveiled during a White House task force meeting on artificial intelligence and education, will provide training to help workers integrate AI tools into their daily roles.
Walmart Inc., the largest private employer in the United States, is partnering with OpenAI to make the certification available for free to its 1.6 million employees, with tailored learning paths depending on job functions.
Fidji Simo, chief executive officer of applications at OpenAI, said the initiative was designed to ensure workers adapt to the rapid changes driven by AI.
“We believe fundamentally that AI will unlock more opportunities for more people than any technology in history, but it will also be disruptive. While we can’t eliminate the disruption, we can certainly help more people become fluent in AI and connect them with companies that need their skills,” Simo stated.
The certification is part of a broader workforce initiative that includes an AI-powered jobs platform scheduled for launch next year.
The platform will match candidates with employers using certification credentials and advanced AI tools, placing OpenAI in competition with professional networking services such as LinkedIn, owned by Microsoft, a backer of the company.
John Furner, chief executive officer of Walmart’s U.S. business, said employees are already using AI for tasks such as shift planning and inventory management, and the program will expand their capabilities.
“The future of retail is going to be determined by a mixture of people and technology. The goal is to use AI to free up staff time for the most value-added activities, including interacting with customers,” Furner said.
The announcement comes amid growing concern that AI could displace entire job categories. A recent Stanford University study showed that employment in AI-exposed fields such as accounting, development, and administrative roles has dropped by 13 percent in the past three years.
OpenAI executives said the certification program is intended to reduce that risk by preparing workers with the skills needed to transition into emerging roles.
The company noted that while some jobs will be disrupted, AI will create new opportunities, just as previous technologies such as spreadsheets and online services reshaped industries without eliminating entire professions.
OpenAI’s collaboration with Walmart underscores its strategy to align with large employers and government bodies to accelerate the adoption of AI in the workplace.
The certification program is expected to expand beyond Walmart to other companies and may attract fees for access in the future.