Cognizant puts 25,000 staff behind OpenAI, days after a Gemini push

Cognizant formed an OpenAI Frontier Capability Group of more than 25,000 staff to deploy Codex and ChatGPT for clients. It will focus on software engineering, updating old systems and customer service. The move comes 11 days after Cognizant put 18,000 staff behind Google’s Gemini.

Cognizant has formed a group of more than 25,000 staff to roll out OpenAI’s Codex and ChatGPT for its clients, the IT services company said on Thursday.

The OpenAI Frontier Capability Group will start with three areas: writing software with Codex, moving old mainframe systems to the cloud, and using AI agents in sales and customer service.

Cognizant says companies are held back by a lack of people who can build with AI inside their existing systems, not by access to the models. More than 21,000 of its staff have earned over 40,000 OpenAI training badges. OpenAI has made the same bet, launching its own deployment arm in May and buying Northslope in July.

“ We are committing more than 25,000 of our people to bring that change inside our clients’ businesses, ” said Cognizant chief executive Ravi Kumar S.

The company says it built an AI assistant for a global drugmaker that has handled more than 5 million conversations and cut the time to create content by 60%.

The deal follows OpenAI’s move in April to recruit Cognizant and CGI to take Codex into big companies. But Cognizant is not betting on one model maker. Just 11 days ago, it put 18,000 staff behind Gemini, Google’s rival AI.

Cristian Dina is the CRO at The Next Web. He has interviewed 300+ industry leaders and authored the book King of Networking, establishing hi (show all) Cristian Dina is the CRO at The Next Web. He has interviewed 300+ industry leaders and authored the book King of Networking, establishing himself as one of the most connected and respected voices in the ecosystem. At just 23 years old, Cristian was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 2025 list, representing a new generation of tech builders, bold thinkers who move fast, build with purpose, and create real impact.

Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.

Thanks! Check your inbox to confirm your subscription.

By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Statement.