OpenAI just threw down the gauntlet against LinkedIn with its most ambitious product expansion yet. The AI giant announced the OpenAI Jobs Platform, launching mid-2026 to use artificial intelligence for matching candidates with businesses. This puts OpenAI in direct competition with LinkedIn, ironically co-founded by Reid Hoffman, one of OpenAI's earliest investors.
OpenAI is making its boldest moves yet beyond ChatGPT, and the target is crystal clear: LinkedIn's $15 billion recruitment empire. The company just announced the OpenAI Jobs Platform, set to launch by mid-2026, promising to revolutionize how businesses and job seekers connect through artificial intelligence. CEO of Applications Fidji Simo revealed the platform in a company blog post Thursday, describing it as a system that will "use AI to help find the perfect matches between what companies need and what workers can offer." The irony isn't lost on industry observers - LinkedIn was co-founded by Reid Hoffman, one of OpenAI's earliest and most prominent investors. Now his portfolio company is gunning directly for his creation. The competitive dynamics have shifted dramatically as LinkedIn scrambled over the past year to integrate AI features into its platform for job matching, sensing the threat from AI-powered alternatives. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has been telegraphing this expansion for months. At a recent dinner with reporters, Altman revealed that Simo would oversee multiple applications beyond the chatbot, including the Jobs Platform and potentially a browser and social media app. This represents OpenAI's most significant product diversification since ChatGPT's launch. The platform will feature a dedicated track for small businesses and local governments to access top AI talent, according to OpenAI spokesperson statements to TechCrunch. This suggests the company is targeting not just individual job seekers but the entire enterprise recruitment ecosystem that LinkedIn dominates. The timing couldn't be more strategic. As AI disruption accelerates across industries, job matching becomes increasingly complex. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei recently warned that AI could eliminate up to 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs before 2030. is positioning itself as both the disruptor and the solution. Simo acknowledged this tension in her blog post, admitting "can't prevent that disruption" but can help people become AI-fluent and connect them with companies needing those skills. The company is doubling down with OpenAI Academy certifications launching in late 2025, creating a pipeline from education to employment. has already secured as a partner for its certification program, targeting 10 million certified Americans by 2030. This enterprise partnership strategy mirrors how built its professional network - through corporate adoption that drives individual usage. The market implications are staggering. maintains a near-monopoly on professional networking with over 900 million users, but AI-first approach could fundamentally reshape how recruitment works. Instead of passive job posting and manual searching, promises intelligent matching that understands skills, company culture, and career trajectories. Industry observers are watching how , which owns and partners with , will navigate this competitive conflict. The partnership that brought ChatGPT integration to Microsoft products now faces internal tensions as directly challenges Microsoft's professional networking asset. This announcement comes as executives prepare for Thursday's White House meeting with President Trump to discuss AI policy. The timing suggests is positioning itself as a key player in workforce development and economic opportunity - themes that resonate with policymakers concerned about AI's job displacement effects.
