OpenAI hires Instacart CEO Fidji Simo as its CEO of Applications

Published: Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 11:03 am

OpenAI Snags Instacart CEO Fidji Simo to Lead Applications

OpenAI, the AI research and deployment company behind ChatGPT, has made a significant move, hiring Instacart CEO Fidji Simo as its new head of Applications. This strategic appointment, announced Wednesday, will see Simo transition from her current role at Instacart later this year.

Simo, already a member of OpenAI's board, brings a wealth of experience in leadership, product development, and operations. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman praised Simo's "rare blend" of skills and her commitment to ensuring the company's technology benefits everyone.

As the CEO of Applications, Simo will oversee the crucial functions that connect OpenAI's business and operational teams. This includes shaping how the company's groundbreaking research impacts the world. Simo expressed her excitement on X (formerly Twitter), thanking Altman for the opportunity and highlighting the privilege of working with such a talented team on a "most important and ambitious endeavors in history."

While transitioning to OpenAI, Simo will remain CEO of Instacart for the next few months and will continue to serve as the chair of its board. This transition allows for a smooth handover at Instacart while ensuring Simo's focus on OpenAI's strategic goals.

The addition of Simo will allow Altman to focus more on the company's core areas: Compute, Research, and Safety Systems. This strategic restructuring underscores OpenAI's commitment to both innovation and responsible development of its AI technologies. This move signals OpenAI's continued growth and its dedication to shaping the future of artificial intelligence.

Keywords: OpenAI, Fidji Simo, Instacart, CEO, Applications, Sam Altman, AI, artificial intelligence, leadership, product development, operations, ChatGPT, research, safety systems, board member.

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