Instacart CEO Fidji Simo Joins OpenAI
Fidji Simo, current CEO of Instacart, will be joining OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, as their Applications CEO. This transition will occur over the next few months, with Simo joining OpenAI full-time later this year.
Simo to Lead OpenAI Applications
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman confirmed that he will continue in his current role, focusing on research, compute, and applications. Simo will report directly to Altman and lead the application team, bridging the gap between research and real-world impact.
In a blog post, Altman stated, "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." He also highlighted Simo's contributions as an OpenAI board member over the past year.
Simo's Background and Experience
Simo brings extensive experience in product management and monetization. Prior to leading Instacart, she spent over a decade at Meta, where she spearheaded initiatives such as launching ads on the News Feed and leading monetization for the Facebook app. She also played a key role in developing Facebook Video and building its advertising business.
Simo joined Instacart in 2021 and led the company through its public offering in 2023. She will remain chair of the Instacart board, according to a post on X (formerly Twitter). Instacart will announce a new CEO shortly, chosen from its current management team, as shared in Simo's letter to Instacart employees.
Simo's Vision for OpenAI
“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.”
