OpenAI has announced plans to launch a new AI-driven hiring platform designed to connect employers with job seekers, positioning the company as a direct competitor to LinkedIn. The upcoming service, named the OpenAI Jobs Platform, is expected to debut by mid-2026, according to a spokesperson who spoke with TechCrunch. The initiative was formally introduced by Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s CEO of Applications, in a blog post published Thursday.
Simo emphasized that the platform will leverage artificial intelligence to create highly accurate matches between the needs of businesses and the skills of potential employees. She also revealed that the service will include a dedicated pathway for small businesses and local governments, enabling them to tap into top-tier AI talent that might otherwise be out of reach.
This move marks a significant expansion of OpenAI’s ambitions beyond its flagship product, ChatGPT, and into broader enterprise and workforce solutions. At a recent media dinner, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman confirmed that Simo will oversee a suite of new applications, including the Jobs Platform and potentially other tools currently in development—such as a web browser and a social media application.
The launch of the Jobs Platform could create competitive tension with LinkedIn, the professional networking giant co-founded by Reid Hoffman, one of OpenAI’s earliest investors. LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft, which also happens to be OpenAI’s largest financial backer. Over the past year, LinkedIn has been integrating AI features to enhance its job-matching capabilities, signaling a convergence of interests between the two companies.
In addition to the hiring platform, OpenAI is expanding its educational offerings through the OpenAI Academy, an online learning initiative launched last year. The company plans to introduce OpenAI Certifications by late 2025, which will assess and validate individuals’ proficiency in AI-related skills. These certifications aim to help workers demonstrate their “AI fluency” to prospective employers.
OpenAI is also collaborating with Walmart, one of the world’s largest private employers, to scale its certification program. The goal is to certify 10 million Americans by 2030, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven job market.
The company says these efforts are part of its broader commitment to the White House’s initiative to expand AI literacy across the country. On Thursday, Altman and other tech leaders are scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss the future of AI and its impact on the workforce.
While many tech executives have voiced concerns about AI’s potential to disrupt traditional employment, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who warned that up to 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs could be eliminated by 2030, Simo acknowledged the risks. In her blog post, she stated that while OpenAI cannot prevent such disruptions, it can play a proactive role in helping individuals adapt by acquiring new skills and connecting with employers who need them.
