OpenAI has added another senior executive from Google Cloud, hiring Philip Larson to run the company’s newly created partner network as it ramps up a global ecosystem strategy.
Larson announced the move in a LinkedIn post, writing, "After more than two decades building and leading partner ecosystems, I’m excited to share that I’ve joined OpenAI to help shape and scale its global partner ecosystem. I’m energized by the team I’ve joined."
Larson was hired as a senior director for OpenAI’s Partner Network (OPN). The role focuses on creating a system that helps partners sell, deploy and develop AI solutions with OpenAI while improving training, incentives, certifications and support to drive enterprise adoption.
OpenAI introduced its first partner program last month, investing $150 million "to support the ecosystem and help partners bring the benefits of AI to more organizations more quickly," the ChatGPT maker said in an announcement.
In the same LinkedIn thread, Larson described his view of what makes partner programs work, saying, "Across VMware, Google Cloud and Snowflake, I’ve seen that the best partner programs are not defined by their complexity. 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," he added.
Before OpenAI, Larson ran the Google Cloud Partner Network for more than two years and previously held partner leadership roles at Snowflake and VMware, where he worked on global channel programs during a period when VMware had tens of thousands of partners worldwide.
Larson’s exit follows another recent jump from Google Cloud’s partner ranks to OpenAI, with Colleen Kapase joining earlier and now serving as vice president of strategic global partnerships and ecosystems. Both executives helped stand up Google Cloud’s revamped partner program that launched in January, CRN reported.
OpenAI has been on a hiring spree as of late. The company plans to nearly double its workforce to 8,000 from 4,500 by the end of the year, the Financial Times reported.
Last month, the company hired Liz Wamai as head of recruiting after more than three years at Netflix, as well as White House artificial intelligence adviser Dean Ball, adding a policy-focused hire in a new team buildout.
The AI company also brought on former Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER) India and South Asia President Prabhjeet Singh as its managing director for the country. Singh will join the artificial intelligence company in September, becoming the most senior executive in the region.
Clint Gibler announced on X that he joined OpenAI as a member of the technical staff and will be working with Michael Aiello, OpenAI’s head of product for cyber.
Other recent hires at OpenAI include former Ironclad CEO Jason Boehmig, who will lead its product team responsible for building products for the legal industry, and Salesforce AgentExchange CEO Brian Landsman as its vice president of global partnerships.
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