What Was Announced
On September 23, 2026, Grab and OpenAI launched the “Forward with AI” program. It is OpenAI’s first regional education program. Over two years, it will help 30,000 Grab partners across Southeast Asia develop practical AI skills.
The goal is to apply AI at work and in business.
- Announcement date: September 23, 2026.
- Organizers: Grab and OpenAI.
- Name: “Forward with AI.”
- Reach: 30,000 Grab partners.
- Duration: the next two years.
- Status: OpenAI’s first regional education program.
The program has a specific audience and a measurable reach. This sets it apart from general introductory courses.
Who It Trains and What They Learn
The program is for drivers, delivery partners, and entrepreneurs who partner with Grab. Participants develop practical AI skills for work and business. The training includes hands-on sessions.
In sessions with ChatGPT, participants:
- develop business ideas;
- find patterns in sales;
- plan promotions;
- prepare for changes in demand.
For larger-scale tasks, participants will try ChatGPT Work. With it, they can turn sales data into a dashboard, create a simple website, or develop a business expansion plan.
The program focuses on practical use cases. The measure of how useful the training is will be whether participants can apply a skill immediately to a work task.
Geography and Rollout Stages
The program is launching in Singapore. Later this year, it will expand to Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Malaysia and Vietnam will join in 2027.
| Stage | Countries |
|---|---|
| Launch | Singapore |
| Later this year | Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines |
| 2027 | Malaysia, Vietnam |
The rollout is gradual. The program starts in one country, then expands to three more, and another two the following year.
The rollout schedule helps show when the training will become available in each market. For Grab partners, it provides a timeline.
Grab and OpenAI Partnership Context
- The Grab and OpenAI partnership began in 2024.
- Their joint project is an AI assistant for drivers powered by OpenAI models.
- Nearly 500,000 drivers have already used the assistant.
- The “Forward with AI” program is part of the “OpenAI for Singapore” initiative.
“Forward with AI” builds on existing solutions and an established audience. This reduces the risk that the training will remain theoretical.
