OpenAI and Grab Launch 'GO Forward with AI' to Teach Practical AI Skills to 30,000 Partners Across Southeast Asia

Hi, it's shiichan! I found some exciting news today for everyone working across Southeast Asia, so let me walk you through it.

OpenAI News openai.com

What was announced?

According to OpenAI News, OpenAI and Grab have jointly launched a new program called GO Forward with AI. Grab is Southeast Asia's leading superapp, with a huge network of driver, delivery, and merchant partners, and this program is designed to teach them practical AI skills. Over the next two years, it will reach 30,000 of Grab's driver, delivery, and merchant partners across the region. It starts in Singapore, then expands to Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines later this year, followed by Malaysia and Vietnam in 2027.

Why it matters

Interest in AI is already high across Southeast Asia, but a lot of people still haven't found practical ways to apply it to their work. In fact, a Grab survey of its driver and delivery partners in Singapore found that half of them already use AI tools, and 87% of those who don't said they're open to trying. ChatGPT was the tool they knew best. Closing that gap between curiosity and confident, practical use is exactly what matters for spreading AI skills across the region. OpenAI and Grab have already been collaborating since 2024 on the Driver AI Assistant, which has reached close to 500,000 drivers, so this new program builds on that existing relationship.

What changes

With this program rolling out, Grab's drivers, delivery partners, and merchant owners will be able to use ChatGPT and ChatGPT Work themselves for things like analyzing sales data, planning promotions, and exploring new business ideas. Partners who don't have a big team to help them make decisions will be able to lean on AI to take on more of that work on their own.

Dive deeper

More specifically, the program runs half-day, in-person workshops in each country based on the OpenAI Academy curriculum, adapted to local needs. Workshops include practical exercises like turning sales data into a dashboard, building a simple website, or drafting an expansion plan. Grab Academy trainers will also be trained so the program can keep running locally after the initial rollout.

Wrap-up

• OpenAI and Grab announced GO Forward with AI, a two-year program bringing practical AI skills to 30,000 partners
• It starts in Singapore, then expands to Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, with Malaysia and Vietnam following in 2027
• The program centers on half-day workshops and hands-on training with ChatGPT Work
• It builds on the Driver AI Assistant collaboration since 2024, which has already reached about 500,000 drivers
• This is exciting news for anyone running a small business or working as an independent partner across Southeast Asia!