AI
OpenAI's second-in-command Fidji Simo steps down, shifts to advisory role
The executive, who joined OpenAI last year to lead consumer and business operations, is stepping back due to a recurring health condition.
TechCrunch — AI
OpenAI's President Fidji Simo is departing from her full-time executive position and transitioning to a part-time advisory capacity, according to the Wall Street Journal. She disclosed the change in a staff memo on Thursday, citing an extended and challenging medical leave related to a recurring neuroimmune condition.
Why she's stepping back#
Simo initially disclosed her health issues in April, when she announced she would take time away due to a relapse of her neuroimmune condition. The medical leave proved lengthier and more demanding than anticipated, prompting her to reassess her capacity for the demanding full-time leadership role.
Her trajectory at OpenAI#
Simo arrived at OpenAI in May 2025 as CEO of Applications, a newly created position that reported directly to Sam Altman. The role consolidated responsibility for business and product operations, placing major executives—COO Brad Lightcap, CFO Sarah Friar, and Chief Product Officer Kevin Weil—under her supervision. This restructuring allowed Altman to redirect his attention toward research, computing power, and safety initiatives.
Before joining OpenAI, Simo led Instacart as CEO from 2021 onward, guiding the company through its 2023 initial public offering. Her tenure at Meta spanned over a decade, including several years managing the core Facebook application.
Challenges for OpenAI ahead#
Her departure creates a significant leadership void at a critical moment. OpenAI is pursuing its own public listing while attempting to close competitive gaps with rival Anthropic, especially in enterprise offerings. ChatGPT's consumer growth decelerated in the latter months of the previous year, falling short of internal revenue projections. This prompted OpenAI to intensify efforts in coding tools—an area where Anthropic maintains an edge.
Simo had been the driving force behind growing OpenAI's consumer-facing business, making her exit a notable loss as the company prepares for potential public markets and continued competitive pressures.
