US-based AI company OpenAI has launched a $150m (€136.5m) global partner programme and set a target to train and certify 300,000 consultants by the end of 2026, as reported by Edtech Innovation Hub, establishing a structured network for organisations that build, sell and deploy AI systems for enterprise customers.

The OpenAI Partner Network is aimed at systems integrators, management consultancies, technology providers and data specialists, with participating organisations receiving onboarding, training, technical resources and ongoing support from OpenAI to help customers identify AI use cases, redesign workflows and support workforce adoption.

The programme is structured across 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 specialisations in Codex, cybersecurity and AI agents, allowing partners to demonstrate expertise in specific technologies and use cases.

OpenAI Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar announced the investment on LinkedIn, framing the programme as a response to the complexity of enterprise AI adoption. "We're investing $150M and aiming to train and enable 300,000 certified consultants by the end of 2026," Friar said, adding that introducing AI across an enterprise requires partners with deep understanding of individual industries, customer systems, workflows and organisational change.

OpenAI is separately piloting a Forward Deployed Experts programme with a founding group of partners, allowing selected practitioners to work closely with OpenAI's Forward Deployed Engineering teams on complex customer deployments with access to implementation playbooks and deployment methods.

Partners highlighted at launch include Accenture, Bain and Company, Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey and Company and PwC. Existing customer projects involving Agilent Technologies, eBay, Paychex and T-Mobile were also cited as examples of active enterprise deployments within the network.

Agilent President and CEO Padraig McDonnell said AI deployment is a top organisational priority. "Through a collaboration with OpenAI and BCG, we are accelerating deployment of AI across our business while advancing more intelligent instruments, software, and services," he said.

OpenAI has not disclosed how the $150m will be allocated, nor published full details of the certification requirements, assessment process or course structure behind the 300,000-consultant target.

Explore the full details of the OpenAI Partner Network and its certification programme in the complete report.