OpenAI Academy is marking two years since its September 2024 launch, reporting more than 250 events hosted and more than 4 million people engaging with its content, as the company pilots a new program to train community members to teach AI skills.

The Academy was created to expand access to AI training, technical guidance, and community, initially focusing on developers and mission-driven organizations working on local problems. It has since grown to include self-paced courses, practical guides, in-person workshops, and large multi-site events known as AI Skills Jams.

This month, OpenAI introduced new Academy learning paths for knowledge workers, developers, leaders, educators, and college students. Learners can take courses relevant to their roles and earn Academy course badges by passing assessments.

The company said the most valuable part of its training is giving people dedicated time and space to try AI tools on work that matters to them, learn from their peers, and get coaching and support from OpenAI mentors. Its AI Skills Jam for K–12 Educators brought together more than 1,600 teachers, administrators, and district leaders across eight U.S. cities.

To help more partners lead these programs, OpenAI is piloting the OpenAI Academy Community Trainer Program. Participating organizations nominate staff members to learn the Academy curriculum and how to guide a practical workshop, including demonstrating useful workflows, helping people apply AI to their own tasks, encouraging peer learning, and supporting participants as they evaluate results. They complete training and a facilitation assessment before leading Academy sessions.

The pilot aims to help partner organizations — including schools, workforce organizations, small-business networks, and community groups — build their own capacity to teach AI skills. OpenAI said it will continue developing online courses, workshops, and Academy Jams, with the goal of more people having someone in their community to turn to as their needs and the tools evolve.

Full Article: Two years of OpenAI Academy