OpenAI is launching its first certification courses to help people build in-demand AI skills and prepare for the future of work. With AI transforming industries and creating new opportunities, OpenAI aims to empower individuals by providing accessible, practical training. More than 800 million people use ChatGPT weekly to develop skills, find jobs, and solve real-world challenges. Research shows that workers with AI skills earn about 50% more than those without them, yet many remain uncertain about which skills to learn or how to get started. In September, OpenAI announced its vision to expand economic opportunity through the OpenAI Certifications and the OpenAI Jobs Platform. Now, the company is taking a major step forward with the launch of two new courses: AI Foundations, available through pilot programs in ChatGPT with leading employers and public-sector partners, and ChatGPT Foundations for Teachers, now live on Coursera. AI Foundations is designed to equip workers with hands-on, real-world skills for using AI tools across industries. For the first time, learners can complete a full course directly inside ChatGPT, where the AI acts as a tutor, practice space, and feedback provider. This integrated experience allows users to work on real tasks, get instant guidance, and reflect on their progress—all in one place. Upon completion, learners earn a certification that validates their job-ready AI skills. With additional courses and a hands-on project, they can work toward a full OpenAI Certification, a comprehensive credential that demonstrates practical AI expertise in real-world settings. The course is being piloted with major organizations including Walmart, John Deere, Lowe’s, Boston Consulting Group, Hearst, Russell Reynolds Associates, Upwork, Elevance Health, Accenture, the Office of the Governor of Delaware, and Choose New Jersey. To ensure quality and credibility, OpenAI is partnering with Coursera, ETS, and Credly by Pearson to develop learning experiences that meet high standards in design, assessment, and real-world impact. The program will also support students through early access in the ChatGPT Lab, and pilot certifications with Arizona State University and the California State University system to help students build and showcase AI skills as they enter the workforce. Alongside this, OpenAI is launching ChatGPT Foundations for Teachers, a course tailored to K-12 educators. With three in five teachers already using AI tools, the course helps them understand how ChatGPT works, customize it for classroom use, and apply it to lesson planning, grading, and administrative tasks. The course is currently available on Coursera and will be integrated into ChatGPT and ChatGPT for Teachers in early 2026, creating a seamless, interactive learning environment. Future teacher-focused certifications will follow. This initiative builds on OpenAI’s broader efforts to support educators, including its free custom version of ChatGPT for teachers, its partnership with the American Federation of Teachers to train 400,000 educators, and tools like study mode designed for academic use. Together, these programs create a clear path from learning to certification to employment. They lay the foundation for the upcoming OpenAI Jobs Platform, which will connect skilled workers with job opportunities. OpenAI is collaborating with Indeed to expand access to jobs and has launched a new partnership with Upwork to help train people in AI, help businesses find qualified talent, and turn technical skills into real economic opportunity. OpenAI is moving quickly, learning from partners, and expanding thoughtfully. The journey to empower millions with AI skills has just begun.