OpenAI is stepping up its push to make artificial intelligence skills widely available.
The company announced Thursday that it is expanding its free OpenAI Academy program with new certification options and has teamed up with Walmart to reach millions of learners. The goal is to certify 10 million people in AI by 2030.
The Academy, first launched earlier this year, has already connected more than 2 million people with online courses, workshops, and communities focused on AI tools.
Now, OpenAI will add certifications covering different levels of AI knowledge — from everyday workplace applications to specialized areas like prompt engineering.
Fidji Simo, OpenAI's CEO of Applications, highlighted the economic benefits of these skills. "Studies show that AI-savvy workers are more valuable, more productive and are paid more than workers without AI skills," she said.
Simo explained that the new certification tracks are designed to make AI education accessible to everyone, not just a select group, FoxBusiness reported.
"If we want to put more power into the hands of more people, we need to help everyone, at every level, take advantage of the opportunities that come with AI," she added.
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Walmart Brings Hands-On AI Training to Its Employees
Walmart, one of OpenAI's launch partners, will play a key role in bringing this training to workers.
The retailer will integrate AI education directly into its workforce development programs, offering employees hands-on experience with the latest tools.
Walmart CEO John Furner said the focus is on giving people the skills to adapt as technology changes the retail industry.
"At Walmart, we know the future of retail won't be defined by technology alone — it will be defined by people who know how to use it," Furner said.
"By bringing AI training directly to our associates, we're putting the most powerful technology of our time in their hands."
According to SSBCrack, the announcement follows OpenAI's recent release of GPT-5, which CEO Sam Altman described as "like having a team of Ph.D.-level experts in your pocket."
The new model is seen as a major step toward achieving artificial general intelligence, a long-term goal for the company.
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