Uber is deploying OpenAI's ChatGPT Work to 30,000 employees, following a successful pilot with 1,000 staff. The move underscores Uber's push to optimize AI spending after earlier overspending.
TL;DR
- Uber expands ChatGPT Work to 30,000 employees after a 1,000-person pilot.
- The AI agent automates tasks like meeting briefs, slides, and data analysis.
- Uber aims to rein in AI costs, having previously exhausted its 2026 budget for Anthropic's Claude Code.
What happened
Uber is rolling out ChatGPT Work, OpenAI's AI agent for office tasks, to 30,000 employees. This follows a pilot program with 1,000 staff. The agent connects to Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, and Slack, automating tasks like meeting briefs, slides, and data analysis. By default, it runs on GPT-6.1 Sol, a model OpenAI released last month at a fraction of the cost of its top model. Uber's engineers will continue using Codex, OpenAI's coding tool.
Praveen Neppalli Naga, Uber's chief technology officer, emphasized the company's commitment to leveraging AI to innovate and solve problems. The rollout comes as Uber seeks to optimize its AI spending. In August, Neppalli Naga stated that the era of 'tokenmaxxing'—spending freely on AI—was ending. Uber had reportedly exhausted its 2026 budget for Anthropic's Claude Code by April. Additionally, Uber laid off 10% of its customer-service team in July, citing AI-driven efficiency gains.
Why it matters
For developers, this deployment highlights the growing integration of AI agents into enterprise workflows. ChatGPT Work's ability to automate complex tasks could set a new standard for productivity tools. Startup founders should take note of Uber's strategic shift towards cost-effective AI solutions, as it signals a broader industry trend towards fiscal responsibility in AI adoption.
Investors may see this as a positive sign of Uber's ability to balance innovation with cost management. The rollout of ChatGPT Work could enhance operational efficiency, potentially boosting Uber's bottom line. However, the success of this initiative will depend on the tangible results and employee adoption rates, which Uber and OpenAI plan to monitor and share.
Key facts
- Uber is rolling out ChatGPT Work to 30,000 employees.
- The pilot program involved 1,000 staff.
- ChatGPT Work connects to Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, and Slack.
- The agent runs on GPT-6.1 Sol by default.
- Uber's engineers will continue using Codex for coding tasks.
- Uber exhausted its 2026 budget for Anthropic's Claude Code by April.
- Uber laid off 10% of its customer-service team in July.
- OpenAI and Uber will share usage data and results as the rollout progresses.
Context
This deployment is part of a broader trend in the AI industry, where companies are increasingly integrating AI agents into their operations to enhance productivity and efficiency. OpenAI's ChatGPT Work is designed to handle complex, multi-step tasks, making it a valuable tool for enterprises looking to streamline their workflows. Uber's move also reflects a growing emphasis on cost management in AI adoption, as companies seek to balance innovation with fiscal responsibility.