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OpenAI Applications Chief Fidji Simo to Step Down, Citing Health Reasons
Fidji Simo, the chief of applications at OpenAI and a member of its board of directors, is stepping down from her full-time executive position to focus on her health. Simo will transition to a part-time advisory role at the artificial intelligence company, according to a statement she made on Thursday.
Details of the Transition
Simo announced her decision on the social media platform X, explaining that she has been on medical leave for the past three months due to a "severe exacerbation of a chronic illness."
"During that time, it became clear that the road to recovery would be much longer and more complex than I had anticipated—and that I needed to focus on it fully," Simo said in her post. The move to an advisory position allows her to continue contributing to the company in a reduced capacity.
AdA Key Figure in Post-Turmoil Leadership
The departure marks a significant change in the senior leadership at the closely watched AI developer. Simo was a high-profile addition to OpenAI, joining its board of directors in March 2024. Her appointment was part of a broader board restructuring that followed the turbulent period in late 2023 which saw CEO Sam Altman briefly ousted and then reinstated.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman responded to the news on X, expressing his gratitude for Simo's contributions. "I am really sad about this and very grateful for all Fidji has done for OpenAI, and even grateful for her friendship and who she is as a person," Altman stated.