OpenAI launches $150 million network to train and enable 300,000 AI consultants

The global program will provide training, certification and technical support for partners building and deploying OpenAI systems across enterprise organizations.

OpenAI is investing $150 million in its new Partner Network and aims to train and enable 300,000 certified consultants by the end of 2026.

OpenAI has launched a $150 million global partner program and set a target to train and enable 300,000 certified consultants by the end of 2026.

The OpenAI Partner Network is aimed at systems integrators, management consultancies, technology providers and data specialists that build, sell and deploy AI systems for enterprise customers.

Participating organizations will receive onboarding, training, technical resources and support from OpenAI. Partners will be expected to help customers identify AI use cases, redesign workflows, connect OpenAI products with existing systems and support workforce adoption.

The program includes three membership tiers, Select, Advanced and Elite, based on criteria including sales performance, technical capability, co-selling activity and deployment experience. OpenAI also plans to introduce specializations in Codex, cybersecurity and AI agents.

Organizations can now express interest in joining the network. OpenAI has not disclosed how the $150 million will be allocated or published the training, assessment and certification requirements behind its 300,000-consultant target.

OpenAI sets 2026 AI training target

OpenAI Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar announced the investment and training target in a LinkedIn post: "We’re investing $150M and aiming to train and enable 300,000 certified consultants by the end of 2026."

Friar said introducing AI across an enterprise requires partners that understand individual industries, customer systems, workflows and organizational change.

The program is designed to develop a larger pool of consultants able to support organizations moving from experimental AI projects to wider deployments. OpenAI said partners would receive training and resources intended to help their teams build technical expertise and support customers.

OpenAI has not said whether the 300,000 target covers newly trained consultants, existing partner employees receiving additional enablement or both. It has also not published details of the certification body, assessment process, course length or cost to participants.

Three partner levels and specialist credentials

Partners will be able to work with OpenAI through activities including co-selling, product development, systems integration and customer deployment.

Organizations can progress through the Select, Advanced and Elite tiers. OpenAI said each level would carry requirements covering commercial performance, technical expertise, co-selling engagement and previous deployment work.

Planned specializations in Codex, cybersecurity and agents will allow partners to demonstrate experience in particular OpenAI technologies and use cases. OpenAI said the credentials would also help customers identify providers with relevant technical capabilities.

OpenAI is separately piloting a Forward Deployed Experts program with a group of founding partners. Selected practitioners will work more closely with OpenAI’s Forward Deployed Engineering teams on complex customer deployments and receive access to implementation playbooks, technologies and deployment methods.

OpenAI has not named the organizations participating in the pilot. Its launch materials highlighted Accenture, Bain & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Eliza, McKinsey & Company and PwC among the partners working with the organization.

Enterprise projects included in network launch

OpenAI also identified existing customer projects involving Agilent Technologies and Boston Consulting Group, eBay and Artium, Paychex and Bain & Company, and T-Mobile and Accenture.

Agilent President and Chief Executive Officer Padraig McDonnell said the organization was working with OpenAI and Boston Consulting Group to expand AI deployment across its operations and products: "AI is a top priority for Agilent as we strengthen our leadership, improve execution, and build differentiated capabilities for customers. Through a collaboration with OpenAI and BCG, we are accelerating deployment of AI across our business while advancing more intelligent instruments, software, and services. Our focus is simple: deliver faster, highest-quality insights to help our customers make better decisions."

Prospective partners can now submit information about their technical expertise, customer experience and delivery capabilities through the OpenAI Partner Network portal. OpenAI is aiming to train and enable 300,000 certified consultants by the end of 2026, but has not announced when the first training cohort will begin or complete certification.