Grab and OpenAI Launch AI Skills Program for 30,000 Partners in Southeast Asia

On September 23, 2026, Grab and OpenAI launched the GO Forward with AI program, targeting the training of 30,000 Grab partners in AI skills. This initiative begins in Singapore and will expand to Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines later in 2026, with further plans for Malaysia and Vietnam in 2027.

Currently, 50% of Grab's driver and delivery partners in Singapore are utilizing AI tools, and 87% of non-AI users express openness to adopting such technologies. The program aims to enhance confidence among users, as stated by Ong Chin Yin, Grab's Chief Organisational Capability Officer, who emphasized its role in empowering merchants and driver-partners to make informed business decisions and explore new opportunities.

Oliver Jay, Managing Director, International at OpenAI, noted the strong adoption of ChatGPT in Southeast Asia, highlighting the region's willingness to embrace new technology while acknowledging that many users are only beginning to explore its full potential. Grab's Driver AI Assistant has already reached 500,000 drivers, indicating a significant impact on the community.

Suhada Abdullah, a Grab driver-partner, shared her experience, stating that the program's workshops helped her transition from idea to execution, allowing her to innovate within her family hawker business and develop alternative income streams. This follows Grab's ongoing efforts to integrate AI into its services, enhancing the capabilities of its partners and users across the region.