OpenAI Academy is partnering with The AI Collective, Hampton Roads, and Veterans Forge to deliver a hands-on AI learning sprint for veterans and active duty service members, with a pilot event scheduled for March 13, 2026 in Reston, Virginia.

The free, four-hour in-person session will take place at Carahsoft and is capped at 100 participants. Organizers say the event is designed to provide practical AI workflows that veterans can apply immediately in career transitions, current roles, or further education pathways. The pilot is expected to inform a broader rollout across the United States.

In a LinkedIn post announcing the initiative, organizers wrote: “It’s a hands-on, in-person AI learning sprint built specifically for veterans and transitioning service members who want practical tools they can use right away. Whether that’s for a career transition, leveling up at work, or just understanding how AI actually fits into their world.”

Pilot model designed to scale

The March event will include veterans currently working at OpenAI, with participants breaking into small guided groups based on experience level. Organizers state attendees will “walk away with workflows you can actually repeat.”

The post emphasizes that the pilot is being intentionally limited in size to refine the model before expanding. Organizers wrote: “We’re keeping this first one tight and intentional so we can learn, improve, and scale it the right way.”

While the initial event is based in Northern Virginia, the announcement suggests potential expansion into other regions with significant veteran populations, including Hampton Roads.

The AI Collective describes itself as a nonprofit, grassroots community of more than 70,000 founders, researchers, operators, and investors focused on AI through events, workshops, and community-led research.

Focus on workforce transition and applied AI skills

Veterans Forge, which is co-hosting the event, positions its mission around equipping veterans with AI and future technology training to support civilian career transitions. The organization provides hands-on training, mentorship, and community support to bridge military experience and technology careers.

The AI Collective USA – East amplified the initiative on LinkedIn, describing it as “a hands-on AI event in partnership with OpenAI Academy & Veterans Forge built specifically for veterans and transitioning service members.”

The Reston pilot reflects a broader trend across EdTech and workforce development toward short-format, applied AI training delivered in concentrated in-person sessions. Rather than focusing on certification pathways, the emphasis here is on immediate application and repeatable workflows.

For OpenAI Academy, the partnership extends its presence into targeted workforce skilling initiatives. For the EdTech sector more broadly, the pilot signals continued experimentation with localized, audience-specific AI learning models.

Registration for the March 13 event is free, with limited capacity.

ETIH Innovation Awards 2026

The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open and recognize education technology organizations delivering measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards are open to entries from the UK, the Americas, and internationally, with submissions assessed on evidence of outcomes and real-world application.

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