Instacart CEO Fidji Simo will officially join OpenAI on August 18 as the newly created position of **"Chief Officer for Applications."** She will report directly to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and will be responsible for leading at least one-third of the company's team, focusing on expanding and developing use cases for OpenAI technology.
This new position was first announced by Altman during the company's reorganization in May this year. At that time, Altman said he would focus more on two core pillars: research and computation (including security systems), while Simo's joining would allow more professional attention to product and growth. The **"Applications" department** she leads will bring together existing business and operations teams, aiming to turn OpenAI's research findings into practical applications to benefit the world.
In a memo to employees (also published on the OpenAI blog), Simo expressed her excitement about AI's breakthroughs in multiple fields. She specifically mentioned the potential of AI to help in healthcare, career and life guidance, creative expression, time-saving, second medical opinions, regaining time, and personalized tutoring.
Simo emphasized that the current technological trends face a key choice: whether to broaden the channels of power or further concentrate wealth and power. She believes that the choices made by companies and AI leaders now will determine whether the upcoming transformation empowers everyone or concentrates wealth and power in the hands of a few.
Fidji Simo first joined the OpenAI board in March 2024. Her appointment comes at a time when Sam Altman has regained his board seat after an internal investigation, marking further adjustments in OpenAI's leadership and strategic direction.
