OpenAI exec Fidji Simo says she will step down and transition to part-time advisor
The former Instacart chief will advise OpenAI after a longer-than-expected medical leave, as the company continues a broader executive reshuffle.
- On Thursday, OpenAI chief executive of AGI deployment Fidji Simo announced she is stepping down from her full-time role to become a part-time adviser, citing a longer-than-anticipated recovery from a chronic illness.
- Simo began medical leave three months ago after a severe exacerbation of postural tachycardia syndrome, or POTS, a condition she has managed since 2019. She told staff she had "postponed medical tests and new therapies to stay completely focused on the job."
- Amid her departure, OpenAI reorganized product teams under Thibault Sottiaux and Greg Brockman to concentrate on core offerings ahead of a planned 2027 IPO. The company merged teams to build a "superapp" while discontinuing secondary projects like Sora.
- Earlier on Thursday, OpenAI unveiled its largest ChatGPT product update since launch, integrating an AI agent capable of writing code and moving local files. The redesigned desktop app reflects the company's sharper focus on core products.
- These operational shifts align with OpenAI's strategy to reach a $1 trillion valuation before its planned 2027 IPO. Leadership is consolidating resources on core products to prepare for public markets and navigate intensifying competition.
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The ex-Instacart boss was considered to be the number two behind boss Sam Altman – and is now leaving after a long illness. OpenAI is also taking the offensive with new offers for corporate customers.
OpenAI’s number 2 Simo steps down to focus on health
Fidji Simo, who was on medical leave since April due to a severe flare-up of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, said she would continue contributing to OpenAI as an advisor. (Getty Images/Bloomberg pic) SAN FRANCISCO: Top Silicon Valley executive Fidji Simo announced Wednesday she is leaving her full-time role at OpenAI to go part-time as an advisor and focus on recovery from a chronic illness. Simo, who joined the ChatGPT-maker in mid-2…
Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s No. 2 Executive, to Step Down to Focus on Recovery From Chronic Illness
Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s CEO of AGI Deployment and the company’s No. 2 executive, will step down from her full-time role following a three-month medical leave, she said in a note on X on Thursday. “Three months ago, I had to go on medical leave after a severe exacerbation of a chronic illness I’ve lived with […]
Three months after a sick stopover, the Frenchwoman Fiji Simo gave up her full-time job at OpenAI. She will remain a part-time advisor.
Fidji Simo steps down from OpenAI's no. 2 role
OpenAI's No. 2 executive, Fidji Simo, is stepping down from her full-time role after her medical leave proved longer than expected — a leadership vacuum that comes at a tricky time as the company eyes a possible IPO and races to catch Anthropic in the enterprise market.
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