OpenAI Hires Another CEO

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman explained to the staff that he would remain in charge of the company. Altman wanted to stop any potential confusion about incoming Applications CEO Fidji Simo.

“I remain the CEO of OpenAI and will continue to directly oversee success across all pillars”, Altman stated, pointing to the company’s Research, Compute, and Applications sectors. He explained that the Applications area combines a group of existing business and operational teams responsible for how our research reaches and benefits the world. Simo is “uniquely qualified to lead this group”, Altman wrote.

The incoming executive is currently CEO and chair of grocery technology company Instacart, which describes her as a consumer technology industry veteran, based on a lengthy stint with Facebook, and board positions with Shopify and OpenAI. Simo is tasked with setting OpenAI functions up for their next phase, though Altman stated he would stay closely involved with key decisions. Simo noted she is joining OpenAI at a critical moment, but backed the company’s potential to accelerate.