OpenAI, the powerhouse behind ChatGPT, has made a significant move in its ongoing expansion. The company has appointed Fidji Simo, the current CEO of Instacart and former head of the Facebook app, to lead its burgeoning apps business. This strategic hire signals OpenAI’s growing focus on the consumer side of its technology, moving beyond research and development into a more direct engagement with users.
Simo’s impressive background speaks for itself. She spent over a decade at Facebook, culminating in her appointment as head of the Facebook app in 2019. During her tenure, she oversaw the development and implementation of key features such as the News Feed, Stories, and live video, significantly contributing to Facebook’s massive advertising revenue stream. Her leadership skills were further showcased when she became CEO of Instacart in 2021, successfully leading the company through its IPO just two years later.
This isn’t Simo’s first foray into the OpenAI world; she’s been a board member since last year. However, this new role marks a significant step, though not an immediate departure from Instacart. Simo has assured Instacart employees that she’ll remain CEO for a couple of months, until a successor is announced. This measured transition allows for a smooth handover and minimizes disruption at both companies.
OpenAI’s decision to create a dedicated apps division highlights the increasing importance of user-facing applications in its business model. The success of ChatGPT across various platforms – iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS – clearly demonstrates the demand for accessible AI tools. Furthermore, OpenAI’s ambitious plans to develop an X-like social network, as reported earlier this year, further underscores this shift towards a more consumer-centric approach.
This appointment is a bold move by OpenAI, bringing in a seasoned executive with a proven track record of success in building and scaling large-scale consumer applications. Simo’s expertise will be invaluable as OpenAI navigates the complexities of building and maintaining a robust and engaging user experience for its increasingly popular AI products. The move also frees up OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to concentrate on core areas such as research, compute infrastructure, and safety – crucial aspects for responsible AI development.
