On August 18, 2026, OpenAI and CodeAI announced a joint effort aimed at increasing AI literacy among high school students and supporting educators as AI becomes part of daily learning. The partnership coincides with the launch of ChatGPT for Teens, described by the companies as a learning-focused experience with built-in protections and additional parental controls.
Goals and classroom initiatives
OpenAI said the initiative responds to a gap between student use of AI and understanding of how it works: the announcement noted that only 16% of high school leaders report all of their students are learning the technical knowledge to understand AI in class. CodeAI cited its own survey in which 75% of high school students said understanding AI will be more important for their futures than it is today.
The partners outlined several programs to be rolled out over the next year. Hour of AI will introduce basic, responsible AI use to millions of students. The first-ever Builders Challenge will invite high school teams to create projects with AI, receive mentorship from OpenAI staff, and present their work nationally. Career Journeys will connect students with OpenAI researchers and engineers to explain workplace roles that involve AI.
OpenAI also said its experts in AI systems, safety, and responsible use will be available as a consulting resource for CodeAI as CodeAI further develops AI Foundations, a free, year-long high school course.
Governance and roles
The two organizations will form a joint advisory council that brings together specialists in child development, youth public policy, and learning science to advise on risks, responsible practices, and evolving educational needs. Dr. Allison Mishkin, Head of Child Development at OpenAI, was quoted as saying the effort seeks not merely to expand use but to help students ask better questions and evaluate AI outputs carefully.
Karim Meghji, CEO of CodeAI, said schools should teach how AI works so students can spot errors and decide when not to trust a system. The announcement emphasized that the partnership sees parents, educators, researchers, policymakers, and civil-society groups as necessary participants.
Planned actions over the coming year include the advisory council, Hour of AI, the Builders Challenge, further development of AI Foundations, and Career Journeys, while ChatGPT for Teens will offer additional classroom and parental controls.
Original source: OpenAI News