OpenAI to launch Jobs Platform by 2026, set to rival LinkedIn

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has unveiled its plans to step into the professional networking and recruitment industry. The company is developing a new jobs platform that it says will leverage AI to match employers with the most suitable candidates.

According to a company spokesperson who spoke to TechCrunch, the platform—called the OpenAI Jobs Platform—is scheduled for release by mid-2026.

The official announcement was made in a blog post by Fidji Simo, CEO of Applications at OpenAI, who explained the mission: “use AI to help find the perfect matches between what companies need and what workers can offer.”

Dedicated track for small businesses and local bodies

In addition to large enterprises, the platform will also provide a dedicated track for small businesses and local government agencies that want to integrate AI-driven hiring into their workforce strategy.

OpenAI vs LinkedIn: A new rivalry in the professional networking space

The launch of the jobs platform puts OpenAI in direct competition with LinkedIn, which has long dominated the global professional networking ecosystem.

This rivalry is particularly significant because LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman was one of OpenAI’s early investors. Moreover, LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft, which also happens to be OpenAI’s largest backer. That means OpenAI’s new product could potentially compete with a service belonging to its closest partner.

OpenAI’s expansion beyond ChatGPT

OpenAI has been diversifying its portfolio beyond its flagship chatbot. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, confirmed that Fidji Simo will lead several new projects apart from ChatGPT. Among these is the jobs platform, while reports also suggest OpenAI is experimenting with:

• A new web browser

• A social networking app

These moves signal OpenAI’s growing ambition to embed AI more deeply into everyday work, productivity, and social interaction.

OpenAI Academy: Building AI fluency at scale

Parallel to the jobs platform, OpenAI is also launching OpenAI Academy, an initiative designed to equip workers with AI skills.

The academy will begin offering certifications to assess different levels of “AI fluency.” A pilot program is expected to roll out in late 2025, with Walmart partnering to help expand the reach of the project.

The long-term goal is ambitious: OpenAI aims to certify 10 million Americans by 2030.

This program is aligned with the White House’s AI literacy initiative, with Altman and other industry leaders expected to meet President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday to discuss the broader impacts of AI adoption.

AI’s impact on jobs: Disruption vs opportunity

The introduction of OpenAI’s jobs platform comes amid widespread debate over AI’s potential impact on employment.

Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, has warned that up to 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs could disappear by 2030 due to automation and AI advancements.

Acknowledging these concerns, Simo wrote in her blog that while disruption is inevitable, OpenAI has a responsibility to help workers adapt by reskilling and connecting them with companies that need AI-driven talent.

Conclusion

OpenAI’s entry into the professional networking and hiring sector with its upcoming AI-powered Jobs Platform marks a bold move that could reshape the way employers and job seekers connect. With LinkedIn as its direct competitor, the stakes are high, but OpenAI’s advantage lies in its ability to harness AI for smarter talent matching.

At the same time, its OpenAI Academy initiative reflects a proactive step toward addressing concerns about job displacement by equipping millions with AI fluency. As the world grapples with the double-edged sword of AI-driven disruption and opportunity, OpenAI’s strategy positions it not only as a tech innovator but also as a potential workforce enabler for the future.