Grab, a leading superapp in Southeast Asia, has partnered with OpenAI, a global AI research and deployment company, to launch the ‘GO Forward with AI’ partnership in Thailand. The partnership aims to upskill over 3,000 drivers, delivery riders, and merchants in Thailand with AI skills to help them unlock new income opportunities and grow their businesses. 

This Thailand launch is part of a broader regional partnership between Grab and OpenAI announced last month that seeks to train over 30,000 drivers, delivery riders, and merchants to use AI tools. 

Providing AI training is part of Grab Thailand’s focus this year as it continues its GrabAcademy programme under the concept of “Level Up Your Skills.” In addition to AI training modules co-developed with OpenAI, Grab offers practical courses tailored to the interests and needs of drivers, riders, and merchants to help them keep pace with a rapidly changing digital landscape. Featured offerings include a personal finance and investment course led by Siratthaya ‘Fern’ Isarabhakdi, founder of Wealth Me Up, as well as a guide on selling products online via affiliate marketing by digital marketing expert Marut “Coach Bee” Wantarnagon.  

Chantsuda Thananitayaudom, Country Head of Grab Thailand, commented, “Guided by our AI-First with Heart philosophy, Grab places a strong emphasis on leveraging AI to enhance operational efficiency across our teams while continuously empowering merchants and drivers. We introduced the ‘GrabMerchant AI Assistant’ in 2025 to help merchants analyze data and plan their businesses more effectively—a feature now utilized by over 275,000 merchants nationwide.” 

“We also launched the ‘Driver AI Assistant,’ an in-app smart companion, developed with OpenAI’s technology, companion designed to help drivers and delivery riders provide more efficient services and boost earnings through real-time guidance and recommendations. Since its official launch in September, it has already been adopted by 120,000 drivers in Thailand.”

“To further advance our commitment to developing AI skills across our ecosystem, we have partnered with OpenAI this year to introduce ChatGPT courses tailored specifically for Grab drivers and merchants. Delivered through GrabAcademy, merchants will learn to leverage customer insights to create compelling marketing campaigns, while drivers and delivery riders will explore new and creative ideas that unlock supplemental income,” Chantsuda added

Kiran Mani, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, OpenAI, said, “As we enter a new era of AI capabilities, it’s not enough for people to simply have access to AI. They also need the skills and confidence to use it, adapt as the technology changes, and share in the progress it creates. People across Thailand are already embracing AI, and through GO Forward with AI, we’re excited to work with Grab to turn that interest into practical skills. Together, we will help drivers and merchants in Thailand use AI in ways that matter to them, whether that’s managing a budget, growing a business, or pursuing a new idea, so they can create new opportunities for themselves and their families.”

Key GrabAcademy 2026 Training Modules:

Under the “Level Up Your Skills” theme, Grab and OpenAI are launching two core training modules: 

• Module 1: “Grow Your Business with ChatGPT: Attract, Engage & Retain Your Customers” 
  • Target: Merchants and restaurant operators
  • Focus: Equip participants with practical ways to use ChatGPT to attract, engage, and retain customers—from uncovering customer insights and enhancing visual branding to creating engaging social content and turning customer reviews into lasting loyalty, all in support of sustainable business growth. 
• Module 2: The “Grow Your Earnings with AI: Smarter Shifts, Better Service & New Opportunities” 
  • Target: Drivers and delivery riders
  • Focus: Help participants boost daily productivity, improve customer service, and explore side-gigs for long-term income resilience. Topics include real-time ChatGPT translation and passenger communication, AI-assisted financial budgeting, and using AI for marketing and personal branding. Participants will also build their own Personal Work & Earnings Kit, featuring a 30-day action plan and financial targets to optimize overall earnings. 

Grab drivers, delivery riders, and merchants who attend these offline training modules will receive three months of complimentary access to ChatGPT Plus, allowing them to continue practicing and applying what they have learned beyond the workshops.

To inspire new earning pathways, Grab has brought together industry experts from various fields to share practical knowledge and skills that help participants explore new ways to generate additional income. 

• “Grab Your Money: 6 Steps to Better Financial Health for Grab Drivers” — Led by Siratthaya ‘Fern’ Isarabhakdi, a renowned finance expert, host, and founder of Wealth Me Up, covering practical money management, saving, and investing.
• “Affiliate Marketing for Beginners: A Grab Driver’s Guide” — Led by ‘Coach Bee’ Marut Wantarnagon, founder of “Bee CEO ClothingOnline,” providing tips on product selection and content creation to build affiliate revenue.
• “Basic First Aid & CPR Training” — Delivered by certified medical personnel to equip drivers and riders with essential lifesaving skills for emergencies. 

All modules will be converted into bite-sized online micro-learning courses accessible directly through the Grab Driver App, allowing drivers and delivery riders to learn conveniently at their own pace.