People Moves: Fidji Simo

Job From: CEO of Instacart

Job To: CEO of Applications at OpenAI

“Joining OpenAI at this critical moment is an incredible privilege and responsibility”

Fidji Simo’s appointment as CEO of Applications at OpenAI marks a significant step in the company’s evolution.

Fidji has been an OpenAI board member since March 2024 and, as Instacart’s last CEO, brings a wealth of experience in scaling technology companies and leading high-impact product teams. 

In her new role, Faidji reports directly to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and will oversee all business and operational teams responsible for translating OpenAI’s cutting-edge research into products that reach and benefit hundreds of millions of users worldwide.

“I’m excited to announce Fidji Simo is joining as our CEO of Applications, reporting directly to me,” Sam says.

“Applications brings together a group of existing business and operational teams responsible for how our research reaches and benefits the world, and Fidji is uniquely qualified to lead this group. 

“Serving as an OpenAI board member over the past year, Fidji has already contributed a great deal to our company.”

Sam adds that Fidji will focus on enabling OpenAI’s “traditional” company functions to scale as the company enters “a next phase of growth”. 

He continues: “Fidji brings a rare blend of leadership, product and operational expertise and genuine commitment to ensuring our technology benefits everyone.”

Fidji says: “Joining OpenAI at this critical moment is an incredible privilege and responsibility.

“This organisation 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.”