20,000 veterans are using ChatGPT to build what comes next
In the past year, more than 20,000 transitioning servicemembers and veterans have claimed a year of ChatGPT Plus at no cost after being offered free access by OpenAI. As Veterans Day approaches, that milestone gives us a chance to look at how veterans are using AI to prepare for civilian careers and to figure out what comes next for themselves and their families.
The effort started with veterans who work here at OpenAI, people who use these tools every day and know firsthand how challenging the transition can be. Beyond the free access, OpenAI Academy and our community partners have hosted more than a dozen trainings for nearly 1,000 members of the military community, with seven more(opens in a new window) scheduled before the year ends.
Preparing for civilian careers
Leaving the military often means stepping into an unfamiliar job market and working out how years of service translate into a civilian role. Many veterans are turning to ChatGPT to organize their job search, rehearse for interviews, and explore paths they hadn’t considered.
Learning to use ChatGPT, together
Not everyone arrives confident about using AI tools, which is why OpenAI Academy gives veterans, transitioning servicemembers, and military spouses a place to learn alongside people who understand what they’re going through.
OpenAI recently wrapped our first six-event Academy series with Veterans Forge(opens in a new window), focused on helping veterans and military families use ChatGPT to work toward their goals. That pilot, together with workshops alongside AI Collective Hampton Roads and NPower, is shaping what we offer veterans next.
At one workshop in Reston, Virginia(opens in a new window), nearly 100 veterans and active-duty servicemembers(opens in a new window) explored ways to put AI to work. Participant Ryan Kaono-Wedemeyer(opens in a new window) learned to start by writing out a detailed account of his military experience, then asking AI to help shape it into a civilian résumé.
Instructor Erin Marie(opens in a new window) helped participants build custom GPTs to support their transitions, and watched people who walked in skeptical begin finding ways the tools could genuinely help them.
In Louisville, Kentucky, more than 80 Legionnaires(opens in a new window) attended three AI training sessions at the American Legion’s national convention. For those who can’t make it to an event, our online veterans collection(opens in a new window) and 100 chats for veterans(opens in a new window) offer examples to try on your own.
What’s next
We’re continuing this work with partners across the country through the rest of the year:
Our goal is to help veterans and military families carry the skills they built in service into whatever work they choose next. We’re grateful to ID.me(opens in a new window) for helping servicemembers and veterans access the free-year offer, and to our community partners for making these events possible.
This Veterans Day, OpenAI thanks veterans for their service and for contributing to their communities.
