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Last night, OpenAI published a blog post on its official website authored by CEO and co-founder Sam Altman announcing a major new hire: Fidji Simo, currently CEO and Chair at grocery delivery company Instacart, will join OpenAI as CEO of Applications, a newly created executive position.
Simo will step into her new role at OpenAI later in 2025 following a transition period. She will report directly to Altman and lead the Applications division, which includes teams responsible for translating OpenAI’s research into products used by consumers and businesses worldwide.
Simo also shared a message with her team at Instacart, which she later posted publicly on her LinkedIn profile, stating: “This was an incredibly hard decision because I love this company… At the same time, you all know my passion for AI generally and in particular for the potential it has to cure diseases — the ability to lead such an important part of our collective future was a hard opportunity to pass up.”
She further wrote: “Joining OpenAI at this critical moment is an incredible privilege and responsibility. This organization has the potential of accelerating human potential at a pace never seen before and I am deeply committed to shaping these applications toward the public good.”
Altman was clear to state he will remain the CEO of the entire ChatGPT company, but that the organization’s growing scope across AI research, product delivery, and infrastructure meant it was time for the creation of a new division with its own executive leader.
Altman said he plans to devote increased focus to Research, Compute, and Safety Systems, which will continue reporting directly to him. He reiterated that all functions will remain integrated under a single OpenAI structure, including its nonprofit arm.
Simo will remain Instacart’s CEO for the coming months and help onboard her successor, who is expected to come from the company’s existing management team. She will continue serving as Chair of the Instacart Board after stepping down as CEO.
OpenAI’s evolving structure and AI stack
Altman emphasized the strategic importance of the new role, noting that Op …