Grab and OpenAI are expanding their AI partnership with a regional training programme for 30,000 driver, delivery and merchant partners across Southeast Asia.
The GO Forward with AI programme will run under GrabAcademy over the next two years.
It has launched in Singapore and will expand to Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines later this year.
Training will focus on practical uses of AI for work and business.
Driver and delivery partners will learn how to develop business ideas and create simple marketing plans, while merchants will use AI to analyse sales data and support areas such as demand forecasting and inventory planning.
Participants will also be introduced to ChatGPT Work for multi-step tasks such as building dashboards, developing business plans and setting up repeatable workflows.
In Singapore, Grab reported that 50% of its driver and delivery partners currently use AI tools.
Among those who do not, 87% said they were open to adopting them.
Among merchant partners, 33% currently use AI at work, while 25% said their employees can apply AI effectively.
“Our partners are intrigued by AI, and many are looking for practical guidance on how to apply it in ways that are relevant to their work, businesses and aspirations.
This programme is about building that confidence – whether it’s helping a merchant make smarter business decisions or giving a driver-partner the tools to explore a new business idea and create new opportunities for growth.”
said Ong Chin Yin, Chief Organisational Capability Officer at Grab.
“We’re proud to partner Grab, who share our belief that AI should be practical, accessible and useful for the communities we serve.
Together, we want to help merchants and platform workers gain confidence in using agentic AI capabilities like ChatGPT Work to unlock greater efficiency and new opportunities in their work and businesses.”
said Oliver Jay, Managing Director, International at OpenAI.
Grab and OpenAI have worked together since May 2024 on initiatives including Driver AI Assistant, which gives drivers personalised guidance on demand, earnings and day-to-day queries.
Grab reported that the OpenAI-powered tool has reached close to 500,000 drivers.
Participants will also receive three months of complimentary ChatGPT Plus access.
Featured image: The launch of GO Forward with AI in Singapore, with Minister of State Foo Cexiang, OpenAI’s Managing Director, International, Oliver Jay, Grab’s Chief Organisational Capability Officer, Ong Chin Yin, the Grab team and women driver-partners.
