OpenAI announced the expansion of its OpenAI Academy through the launch of a pilot program designed to train community leaders and organizations to teach AI skills. This new Community Trainer Program aims to bring practical AI training closer to where people live and work by preparing participants to lead workshops and guide others in applying AI to real-world tasks.
OpenAI Expands Academy Program with New Community Trainer Pilot
Since its launch in September 2024, the OpenAI Academy has hosted more than 250 events and engaged over 4 million people through content including self-paced courses, practical guides, and in-person workshops such as "AI Skills Jams." The program focuses on providing practical training for various roles, such as educators, small business owners, and developers, to help them use AI tools like ChatGPT and Codex for daily problem-solving.
The new pilot program allows participating organizations to nominate staff members to learn the Academy curriculum. These trainers must complete specialized training and a facilitation assessment before leading sessions. Through this approach, OpenAI aims to build local capacity within schools, workforce organizations, and community groups to ensure the benefits of AI are shared more broadly.
Sources
- Two years of OpenAI Academy （OpenAI News, 2026-09-23）