OpenAI is preparing to enter the professional networking and job placement space with a new platform that leverages AI to match candidates with the right roles. The upcoming OpenAI Jobs Platform aims to help businesses, small organizations, and local governments find suitable talent while providing workers with opportunities aligned with their skills.
The OpenAI Jobs Platform is designed to use AI algorithms to connect employers with candidates who best fit their needs. According to Fidji Simo, CEO of Applications at OpenAI, the platform will help “find the perfect matches between what companies need and what workers can offer.”
The service will have specialized tracks for:
Small businesses seeking AI talent
Local government agencies looking for qualified workers
The platform is scheduled for a mid-2026 launch, signaling OpenAI’s entry into the highly competitive professional networking sector.
The launch positions OpenAI as a competitor to LinkedIn, which has dominated professional networking for years. Interestingly, LinkedIn’s co-founder Reid Hoffman was an early backer of OpenAI, and LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest investor. This creates a unique competitive dynamic where OpenAI will challenge a company closely tied to its biggest partner.
OpenAI is expanding its focus beyond ChatGPT, with Fidji Simo leading multiple initiatives. In addition to the jobs platform, OpenAI is exploring:
A new web browser
A social networking app
This reflects the company’s broader mission to integrate AI into various aspects of daily life and work, offering solutions beyond conversational AI.
OpenAI is also focusing on upskilling workers for the AI-driven economy. Through the OpenAI Academy, the company will offer certifications to measure AI fluency.
Key details include:
A pilot program in late 2025
Collaboration with Walmart to expand training
Long-term goal: Certify 10 million Americans by 2030
This initiative aligns with the White House’s AI literacy program, with OpenAI executives, including Sam Altman, expected to meet the President to discuss AI’s societal impact.
The launch of the platform comes amid growing concerns about AI’s impact on employment. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warned that up to 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs could be at risk by 2030 due to AI automation.
Simo acknowledged that disruption is inevitable but emphasized OpenAI’s responsibility:
Equip workers with AI skills
Connect talent to companies requiring those capabilities
Help workers adapt to an AI-driven job market
Platform launch: Mid-2026
OpenAI Academy pilot: Late 2025
Long-term AI certification target: 10 million Americans by 2030
These milestones are part of OpenAI’s broader vision to empower workers while ensuring AI adoption benefits both employers and employees.
Conclusion
The OpenAI Jobs Platform represents a strategic move into professional networking and workforce development. By combining AI-driven matchmaking with skill-building initiatives, OpenAI aims to bridge the gap between employers and talent in a rapidly evolving job market. The platform, coupled with the OpenAI Academy, positions the company to support workforce adaptation as AI transforms industries globally.