OpenAI Launches AI Jobs Platform to Compete with LinkedIn
OpenAI is set to introduce an AI-driven jobs platform, potentially positioning itself as a competitor to LinkedIn, despite Microsoft, LinkedIn's parent company, being its largest financial supporter.
The new service, named the OpenAI Jobs Platform, is expected to launch by mid-2026, according to a spokesperson. OpenAI's head of applications, Fidji Simo, stated that the platform will utilize AI to perfectly match company needs with worker capabilities. It will feature a track for small businesses and local governments, providing access to AI talent that has often been inaccessible.
This jobs initiative appears to be part of a broader effort to expand OpenAI's business beyond ChatGPT. CEO Sam Altman has indicated that new applications, including a browser and a potential social platform, are in development.
The expansion marks a move into areas traditionally dominated by Microsoft's portfolio, raising questions about the future of the partnership between the two companies.
Simultaneously, OpenAI is enhancing its educational initiatives. A pilot program for OpenAI Certifications will commence in late 2025, offering various levels of 'AI fluency' accreditation. These qualifications build on the OpenAI Academy, a free online learning hub launched earlier this year.
The ChatGPT maker also confirmed that retail giant Walmart will play a significant role as a launch partner for the Jobs Platform. John Furner, CEO of Walmart US, stated, "By bringing AI training directly to our associates, we're equipping them with the skills to shape the future of retail."
The announcement comes amid increasing debate over how artificial intelligence could reshape the labor market. Simo acknowledged the inevitability of disruption, writing, "Jobs will look different, companies will have to adapt, and all of us will have to learn to work in new ways."
Concerns are widespread, with reports indicating that nearly half of UK adults fear AI's impact on jobs. In July, it was reported that over 10,000 positions were cut in the United States, directly attributed to AI adoption. Tech leaders have also issued warnings, with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei predicting that up to half of entry-level white-collar jobs could disappear by 2030.
For OpenAI, the challenge will be balancing its vision of creating new economic opportunities with the unease surrounding automation, while also navigating the complexities of competing directly with its most powerful backer.