OpenAI’s Head of AGI Deployment, Fidji Simo, Resigns

OpenAI’s head of AGI deployment, Fidji Simo, is stepping down from her full-time position to take on a part-time advisory role. This change follows a prolonged medical leave she took due to a deteriorating neuroimmune condition.

“Three months ago, I had to go on medical leave after a severe exacerbation of a chronic illness I’ve lived with for seven years,” Simo stated in a post on X Thursday. “During that time, it became clear that the road to recovery would be much longer and more complex than I anticipated—and that I needed to focus on it fully.”

Simo became a member of OpenAI’s board of directors in March 2024. The subsequent year, CEO Sam Altman appointed her to oversee product and business operations, allowing him to concentrate on research and the expansion of the company’s data center. Before her time at OpenAI, she served as CEO of Instacart and led the Facebook app at Meta.

Just before joining OpenAI, Simo faced a serious health setback. She was diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome, or POTS, in 2019. “Throughout my entire tenure here, I’ve delayed medical tests and new therapies to remain focused on my responsibilities and never miss a workday,” she shared with OpenAI staff in a memo earlier this April, announcing her temporary leave. “It’s become evident that I’ve pushed myself too hard and I must explore new treatments to stabilize my health.”

Simo’s medical leave coincided with a broader executive shakeup at the company, which included Brad Lightcap, OpenAI’s former COO, transitioning to oversee special projects. OpenAI president and cofounder Greg Brockman assumed responsibility for the company’s product strategy. Since Simo stepped back, OpenAI has further reorganized its product teams, appointing Thibault Sottiaux as the leader of core products, including ChatGPT.

OpenAI is focusing on a select few core products ahead of a planned IPO, now projected for 2027, with a target valuation of $1 trillion. In line with this strategy, OpenAI has consolidated teams working on ChatGPT, its AI-driven browser, and its AI coding agent into a “superapp.” Additionally, the company has discontinued several extended projects like Sora.

Earlier on Thursday, OpenAI introduced the most significant update to ChatGPT since its launch. The company unveiled an AI agent in ChatGPT capable of carrying out tasks on behalf of users, such as moving local files and writing code, alongside a redesign of its desktop app. With this updated offering, OpenAI aims to provide ChatGPT users with features that were previously exclusive to Codex, including the ability to develop customized software projects using AI.