Fidji Simo to Lead OpenAI Consumer Applications

OpenAI has appointed Instacart CEO Fidji Simo as its first CEO of Applications, a new role overseeing consumer-facing products like ChatGPT and potentially new social platforms. Simo, a former Facebook app head and OpenAI board member since 2024, will lead the applications division while OpenAI CEO Sam Altman shifts his focus to research, compute, and safety during the company's pursuit of superintelligence. Simo will remain Instacart CEO for several months before transitioning to board chair. OpenAI recently decided to keep nonprofit control as it converts its for-profit unit into a public benefit corporation to balance public interest and investor returns. The news led to a dip in Instacart’s stock price, reflecting investor concerns about the executive change. Simo’s appointment signals OpenAI’s intent to expand its consumer product offerings.