Key Takeaways
- Fidji Simo, the chief executive of Instacart, is joining OpenAI.
- Simo will take on a new role as chief executive of applications.
- Sam Altman will remain OpenAI’s overall chief executive, focusing on research and safety.
- Simo will oversee OpenAI’s business and operations, including sales, marketing, and finance.
OpenAI has hired Fidji Simo, the current chief executive of Instacart, to lead its business and operations teams. The announcement came late Wednesday, detailing Simo’s new position as chief executive of applications.
Sam Altman, OpenAI’s chief executive, confirmed he will continue to head the company. He explained in a blog post that Simo’s appointment will allow him to concentrate on other key areas like research, computing infrastructure, and safety systems.
Altman noted OpenAI’s rapid expansion, stating, “We have become a global product company serving hundreds of millions of users worldwide and growing very quickly.” He also described OpenAI as an “infrastructure company” delivering AI tools at a large scale, according to reporting from The New York Times.
“Each of these is a massive effort that could be its own large company,” Altman wrote, emphasizing that “Bringing on exceptional leaders is a key part of doing that well.”
In her new capacity, Simo, who is already a member of OpenAI’s board, will manage sales, marketing, and finance. She will report directly to Altman.
OpenAI, known for igniting the current AI boom with its ChatGPT chatbot, has been managing swift growth and numerous projects. The San Francisco-based company has consistently introduced new AI models and products, including systems capable of reasoning.
This strategic hire comes after OpenAI recently secured a $40 billion funding deal in March, led by SoftBank. This investment valued the company at $300 billion, placing it among the world’s most valuable private enterprises.
