OpenAI taps Google lead to head up new partner program

OpenAI hired Philip Larson, former managing director of Google Cloud's partner network, to lead its new OpenAI Partner Network (OPN). Larson will oversee strategy and global operations for the program, which includes a $150 million investment and a goal to train 300,000 certified consultants by 2026. The move is part of OpenAI's aggressive hiring spree, which has recently drawn controversy after Apple filed a lawsuit alleging staff stole confidential files when leaving for OpenAI.

OpenAI has continued its hiring spree, poaching the managing director of Google Cloud’s partner network. Philip Larson confirmed he’s joining the ChatGPT maker in a post on LinkedIn to help build out its fledgling partner network, which launched last month https://openai.com/index/introducing-openai-partner-network/ . Larson only joined Google in 2024 and brings with him extensive experience in building and maintaining partner ecosystems for brands including VMware and Snowflake. At the hyperscaler, he was a central player in the revamp of the GCPN program https://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/partners/introducing-google-cloud-partner-network/ . Rolled out at the turn of the year, Google Cloud sought to make its partner program “simpler,” with Larson billing https://www.linkedin.com/posts/philiplarson when-i-rejoined-google-cloud-last-may-my-share-7406830579117101056-HIkB/?utm source=share&utm medium=member desktop&rcm=ACoAAB77WY0BoVw4HAZ8qXeMBPsQ5oeCHSmHqRI the efforts as the “largest partner program overhaul ever attempted.” According to his LinkedIn page, his OpenAI role sees Larson lead the strategy, design, launch, and global operations of the nascent and aptly named OpenAI Partner Network OPN . To kickstart its partner ecosystem, OpenAI pledged to invest $150 million while revealing the lofty goal of training 300,000 certified consultants by the end of 2026. “I’ve seen that the best partner programs are not defined by their complexity,” Larson’s post reads. “They are defined by the customer outcomes they accelerate – helping partners co-sell, co-deploy, and build differentiated, durable customer solutions around transformational technology. “That is the work I’m excited to continue at OpenAI – helping partners translate the extraordinary pace of AI innovation into meaningful, measurable impact for customers around the world.” Larson’s move marks the latest in a long-running series of hires at OpenAI, with the startup working to double its headcount by the end of the year. Earlier this week, the firm added Cloudflare engineering manager Kate Reznykova to build out its web infrastructure stack https://www.sdxcentral.com/news/openai-strengthens-web-infrastructure-team-with-cloudflare-hire/ . The ChatGPT maker’s aggressive hiring efforts hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons, though, after Apple filed a lawsuit alleging staff who quit for OpenAI were deliberately pinching confidential files https://www.sdxcentral.com/news/apple-claims-openai-staff-exploited-network-vulnerability-to-siphon-trade-secrets/ and technical specifications, while asserting such misconduct was “normalized and exemplified” by its leadership.