OpenAI Launches Job Platform, Microsoft LinkedIn Rival

The artificial intelligence landscape continues to evolve rapidly with new initiatives from major tech players and emerging startups. OpenAI is set to launch an AI-powered job platform, tentatively named OpenAI Jobs Platform, by mid-2026. This platform aims to connect companies with AI-skilled workers and will compete with Microsoft's LinkedIn. Alongside this, OpenAI is introducing OpenAI Certifications through its OpenAI Academy, piloting in late 2025, with a goal to certify 10 million Americans by 2030 to help workers adapt to AI's impact. Partnerships with companies like Walmart and John Deere are supporting these efforts. Meanwhile, Isotopes, a startup founded by former Scale AI CTO Arun Murthy, has launched Aidnn, an AI agent designed to simplify big data access and analysis. Aidnn can gather and clean data from various sources, provide answers in natural language, and draft complex documents. The company has secured $20 million in seed funding and filed for 10 patents. In cybersecurity, Cato Networks has acquired Aim Security to enhance its Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platform, improving protection for AI applications and user interactions with AI services. Amazon's VP of AWS Applications, Dilip Kumar, is stepping down this month, with Swami Sivasubramanian taking over most of his responsibilities, including oversight of AWS's Quick Suite AI agent software. The broader implications of AI are also being discussed, with a survey suggesting that 51% of employees believe AI could make physical offices obsolete. Investors are being urged to address both the risks and opportunities presented by AI, such as labor market destabilization and disinformation, while also exploring AI infrastructure investments. In a concerning development, the LunaLock ransomware group has threatened to submit artwork to AI companies for training data if a ransom is not paid, marking a new tactic in cyber extortion. Separately, New York University researchers claimed responsibility for PromptLocker, an experimental AI-powered ransomware, emphasizing the distinction between proof-of-concept and malicious use. Commonwealth Bank (CBA) is continuing its AI adoption, partnering with companies like Microsoft, following an incident where an employee was reportedly fired after training an AI chatbot that performed her job.

Key Takeaways

• OpenAI is launching an AI-powered job platform by mid-2026, aiming to compete with Microsoft's LinkedIn.
• OpenAI will offer AI certifications through its OpenAI Academy, piloting in late 2025, with a goal to certify 10 million Americans by 2030.
• Isotopes, founded by former Scale AI CTO Arun Murthy, has launched the Aidnn AI agent for big data and secured $20 million in seed funding.
• Cato Networks acquired Aim Security to bolster its SASE platform with enhanced AI application protection.
• Amazon's VP of AWS Applications, Dilip Kumar, is stepping down, with responsibilities shifting to Swami Sivasubramanian.
• A survey indicates that 51% of employees believe AI may render physical offices obsolete.
• The LunaLock ransomware group is using the threat of submitting stolen artwork to AI companies for training data as an extortion tactic.
• New York University researchers claimed responsibility for PromptLocker, an experimental AI-powered ransomware.
• Commonwealth Bank (CBA) is continuing its AI adoption, partnering with Microsoft.
• Investors are advised to manage both the risks and opportunities presented by AI, including labor market impacts and disinformation.

OpenAI launches job platform and certifications to prepare workers for AI

OpenAI is launching a new AI-powered job platform expected in mid-2026 to connect businesses with AI-skilled workers. They are also introducing OpenAI Certifications, piloting in late 2025, to verify AI competency. These initiatives aim to help workers adapt to AI's impact on the job market. OpenAI plans to certify 10 million Americans by 2030, supporting White House efforts to boost AI literacy. These programs will initially be available in the US.

OpenAI competes with LinkedIn with new AI hiring platform

OpenAI is developing an AI-powered hiring platform called OpenAI Jobs Platform to match companies with employees. CEO of Applications Fidji Simo stated the platform will help find perfect matches between company needs and worker skills. It will also assist local businesses and governments in finding AI talent. This move places OpenAI in direct competition with Microsoft-owned LinkedIn, with the platform expected to launch by mid-2026.

OpenAI creates AI jobs platform and certifications to help workers

OpenAI is launching an AI-powered jobs platform to help job seekers find employers needing AI skills. The company will also offer free AI certifications through its OpenAI Academy. Partnerships with companies like Walmart and John Deere aim to help workers adapt to AI's impact. OpenAI plans to certify 10 million Americans by 2030. CEO Fidji Simo noted that while AI disruption is inevitable, OpenAI aims to help people become fluent in AI and connect them with companies needing their skills.

OpenAI jobs platform to rival LinkedIn

OpenAI is developing an AI jobs platform called "OpenAI Jobs Platform" to connect job candidates with companies. This initiative could compete directly with Microsoft's LinkedIn. OpenAI will also launch a new certification program through its "OpenAI Academy" to improve AI fluency. The platform is expected to launch by mid-2026. OpenAI aims to certify 10 million Americans by 2030, partnering with organizations like Walmart to help workers adapt to AI's impact on the labor market.

Scale AI former CTO launches Aidnn AI agent for big data

Isotopes, a startup founded by former Scale AI CTO Arun Murthy and other Hortonworks veterans, has launched Aidnn, an AI agent designed to solve big data access problems. Aidnn can gather, clean, and analyze data from various sources like finance apps, ERP, and CRM systems. The agent provides answers in natural language and can draft complex documents. Isotopes has secured $20 million in seed funding and applied for 10 patents for its sophisticated technology.

Scale AI ex-CTO launches Aidnn AI agent for big data

Isotopes, a new company founded by former Scale AI CTO Arun Murthy and other experts, has launched an AI agent named Aidnn. This agent aims to solve the long-standing issue of accessing and using big data effectively. Aidnn can gather information from various sources, answer questions in natural language, and create complex documents. The startup has received $20 million in seed funding and has filed for 10 patents.

Cato Networks buys Aim Security to boost AI application protection

Cato Networks has acquired AI security firm Aim Security, marking its first acquisition. This move enhances Cato's Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platform with advanced security for AI applications. Aim Security's technology detects and stops threats related to AI interactions, securing users accessing AI apps and API-driven services. The integration will provide comprehensive visibility and control over AI usage, addressing new risks posed by AI agents and applications.

Cato Networks acquires Aim Security for enhanced AI security

Cato Networks has acquired Aim Security, an Israeli company specializing in AI security, to strengthen its AI security capabilities. Aim Security focuses on safeguarding interactions between employees, organizations, and AI. This acquisition will allow Cato Networks to improve its visibility, control, and governance over AI usage, helping to protect against AI-related cyber threats. The move highlights the growing importance of specialized AI security solutions in the cybersecurity industry.

Bank employee fired after training her AI replacement

Kathryn Sullivan, a 65-year-old employee of Commonwealth Bank (CBA), was reportedly fired after unknowingly training an AI chatbot named Bumblebee to perform her job. Sullivan, who worked at CBA for 25 years, scripted and tested responses for the chatbot as part of her duties. The bank has apologized for an error in assessing roles after layoffs led to increased customer calls. CBA is continuing its AI adoption, partnering with companies like Microsoft.

Investors urged to act on AI risks and opportunities

Long-term investors are urged not to hesitate in addressing the risks and opportunities presented by AI. While AI poses macro-level threats like labor market destabilization and disinformation, investors can mitigate these by integrating AI into investment processes, asking critical questions about board oversight and data privacy. Investing in AI infrastructure like deepfake detection and cybersecurity is also crucial. Building internal capacity and collaborating on standards are key steps for investors to harness AI's benefits responsibly.

NYU researchers claim PromptLocker ransomware is an experiment

New York University researchers have claimed responsibility for PromptLocker, a malware discovered by ESET that was dubbed an AI-powered ransomware. The code, part of an experiment called 'Ransomware 3.0,' demonstrated the ability to map systems, identify valuable files, exfiltrate data, and generate ransom notes. While the researchers noted the low cost of using AI for such attacks, they emphasized the difference between a proof-of-concept and real-world malicious use.

Amazon AI executive Dilip Kumar steps down

Dilip Kumar, VP of AWS Applications, is stepping down from his role at Amazon this month. He was overseeing AWS's upcoming Quick Suite AI agent software, a key part of Amazon's AI strategy. Kumar, who also led the development of Just Walk Out technology, will remain with the team until the end of September. Swami Sivasubramanian, VP of AWS Agentic AI, will assume most of Kumar's responsibilities.

AI may make offices obsolete, survey suggests

A recent survey indicates that 51% of employees believe AI will make physical offices obsolete in the future, with many preferring AI-enhanced remote work. While AI can manage tasks efficiently, some experts see its role evolving into a 'co-pilot' rather than a direct boss. Despite AI's potential impact, there's a growing trend among companies and investors to shift back towards hybrid or location-based work models.

LunaLock ransomware threatens artists with AI training data

The LunaLock ransomware group has targeted the Artists/Clients website, demanding a $50,000 ransom. If not paid, they threaten to leak stolen data and submit all artwork to AI companies for training datasets. This marks the first known instance of a ransomware group using the threat of AI training for extortion. The Artists/Clients website is currently offline, causing concern among users about the potential misuse of their artwork and personal information.

HubSpot's AI strategy drives value with unified data and hybrid pricing

HubSpot's 2025 AI strategy focuses on unifying data through Data Hub for smarter automation and customer insights. Their hybrid monetization model offers basic AI features via per-seat pricing and advanced tools through consumption-based credits, balancing accessibility for small businesses and scalability for enterprises. Tools like Breeze Assistant and Breeze Studio streamline workflows and automate tasks, aiming for significant efficiency gains. HubSpot's user-friendly approach and free CRM plan position it competitively against rivals like Salesforce.

Sources

• OpenAI is taking on LinkedIn to find you your next job in AI - before it's too late
• OpenAI Develops AI-Powered Hiring Platform as ChatGPT Owner Takes on LinkedIn
• As AI makes it harder to land a job, OpenAI is building a platform to help you get one
• OpenAI is building an AI jobs platform that could rival Microsoft’s LinkedIn
• Scale AI’s former CTO launches AI agent that could solve big data’s biggest problem
• Scale AI’s former CTO launches AI agent that could solve big data’s biggest problem
• Cato acquires AI security with Aim Security
• Cato Networks acquires Aim Security to enhance AI security capabilities
• Bank employee is sacked after being ‘tricked into training her AI replacement’
• AI is moving fast. Long-term investors can’t afford to hesitate
• AI-powered PromptLocker ransomware is just an NYU research project — the code worked as a typical ransomware, selecting targets, exfiltrating selected data and encrypting volumes
• The Amazon executive overseeing its upcoming AI agent service is stepping down
• Will AI Kill Off The In-Person Office?
• LunaLock ransomware hits artists/clients with AI training threat
• HubSpot’s AI-Driven Growth Strategy: A Durable Path to Value Creation