Fidji Simo Joins OpenAI as Chief of Applications
Significant Changes at OpenAI and Instacart
Fidji Simo, the chief executive of Instacart, is joining OpenAI as its new Chief of Applications. Sam Altman, cofounder and CEO of the pioneering AI company, announced that Simo will report directly to him, while he continues to lead the organization. Her tenure at OpenAI will begin later this year.
This transition coincides with a notable restructuring within OpenAI, as the organization’s nonprofit parent has retained control, a move that likely limits Altman’s influence.
Who is Fidji Simo?
Simo, aged 39, has successfully guided Instacart to profitability since taking over the reins in 2021. Under her leadership, the company made its public debut on the Nasdaq in September 2023.
A Career in Social Media
Before leading Instacart, Simo spent a decade at Meta Platforms, where she was the head of Facebook from 2019 to 2021. Currently, she also serves on the board of Shopify.
Simo’s Board Involvement at OpenAI
Simo was appointed as one of three directors on OpenAI’s board in March 2023, following Altman’s reinstatement as CEO amidst concerns surrounding his prior ousting from the organization.
Instacart’s Next Steps
With Simo’s transition to OpenAI, Instacart is set to announce a new CEO shortly. Despite her departure, Simo will remain as Chair to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
A Look at OpenAI’s Exits and Changes
OpenAI has experienced a wave of senior-level exits in recent months, particularly from its AI safety and research divisions. This shift marks a significant evolution within the company.
Key Exits from OpenAI
Ilya Sutskever
Cofounder and former chief scientist Ilya Sutskever departed in May 2024 after nearly a decade at OpenAI. He has since established Safe Superintelligence, a startup focused on developing safe artificial general intelligence (AGI).
Jan Leike
Jan Leike was a co-lead of OpenAI’s now-dissolved Superalignment team alongside Sutskever. He left shortly after, citing disagreements over the company’s priorities and a perceived de-emphasis on safety in favor of product development. He has since joined Anthropic as Head of Alignment Science.
John Schulman
Co-founder John Schulman, integral in the development of reinforcement learning with human feedback (RLHF) for ChatGPT, exited OpenAI in August 2024 to take a position at Anthropic.
Mira Murati
Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati resigned in September 2024, choosing to pursue personal projects. Her departure came amid internal tensions regarding the company’s focus on commercial products.
Barret Zoph
Vice President of Research Barret Zoph also resigned around the same timeframe as Murati, citing personal reasons for his exit.
Conclusion
Fidji Simo’s appointment as Chief of Applications at OpenAI signifies a noteworthy change for both parties. As Simo steps into this new role, the tech landscape watches closely to see how her experience will shape the future initiatives at OpenAI and the ongoing evolution of Instacart.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What role will Fidji Simo have at OpenAI?
Fidji Simo will serve as the Chief of Applications, reporting directly to CEO Sam Altman.
2. When will Simo start her new position?
She will begin her new role at OpenAI later in the year.
3. What is the status of Instacart following Simo’s departure?
Instacart is expected to announce a new CEO soon, and Simo will continue to serve as Chair during the transition.
4. Why have there been significant exits from OpenAI?
These departures largely stem from disagreements over company priorities, particularly regarding AI safety and product development.
5>What was Simo’s previous experience before joining OpenAI?
Simo previously worked at Meta Platforms for ten years, where she led Facebook and currently sits on the board of Shopify.
