OpenAI added courses for developers, leaders, educators, and college students to OpenAI Academy on September 21, 2026, extending the training catalog beyond its Apply AI at Work pathway, according to the company's blog.
The company said it treats learning as part of deployment, and the role-based courses help organizations build shared habits for working with AI and develop skills different roles require. Learners earn an OpenAI Academy course badge by passing the course assessment.
The Build with AI path is intended for developers and technical teams using Codex or building products with the OpenAI API. The announcement describes coverage of planning and implementing changes across the software development lifecycle, solution design, evaluations, agents, retrieving relevant information, and operating AI systems in production.
The AI Leadership course, part of Lead AI Adoption, has learners assess where AI could create business value, connect an initiative to business priorities, define ownership and governance, and develop an initial strategy and roadmap. AI for Educators and AI for College Students cover class planning and assessment, study planning, group project roles, draft review, and interview preparation.
The existing Apply AI at Work pathway starts with giving clear instructions, adding relevant context, and reviewing responses, then moves to reusable workflows and directing larger pieces of work with agents. A deployment guide includes recommendations for introducing courses, engaging leaders and managers, building participation, and tracking progress.