The French leader, a major figure in tech, is stepping down from operational management of OpenAI due to the worsening of a chronic illness.
Frenchwoman Fiji Simo, one of the most influential leaders in Silicon Valley, announced Thursday that she was leaving her full-time position at OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT. “I have decided to leave my full-time position at OpenAI to become a part-time advisor,” she wrote in a post on her X account. This departure, which comes three months after taking sick leave, marks a turning point for the artificial intelligence company.
A decision motivated by health
The reason is medical: a chronic illness from which she has suffered for seven years, worsened to the point of having forced her to stop work three months ago. The former Facebook star had already revealed that she had learned, in 2019, that she had postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (or POTS), which affects the nervous system. It disrupts blood circulation and heart rhythm. This condition experienced a “severe exacerbation” in the spring, she explained. “During this time, it became clear that the path to recovery would be much longer and more complex than I imagined.”
“Many told me that I was courageous for putting my health first,” continues Fidji Simo. “The truth is that I am only making this decision today because I have failed to make it many times before.” Two years after falling ill, Facebook offered her a full year of leave. “I said no immediately.” She then quotes her boss at the time, Mark Zuckerberg: “Zuck told me to play the long game. I should have listened to him.”
Fidji Simo arrived at OpenAI in August as general director of applications, including its flagship model ChatGPT. During her stay, the Frenchwoman notably presided over the launch of advertising in ChatGPT, in search of new sources of income. Before OpenAI, Fidji Simo led Instacart, which she led until its IPO and where she still chairs the board. She previously spent around ten years at Meta, where she built Facebook’s advertising business before piloting the application.
In seven years, she says, Fidji Simo has measured how difficult the healthcare system remains to navigate, “even when we have all the possible advantages”. She says: “Curing disease is the most important thing AI could accomplish.” The manager also intends to continue this fight within OpenAI, but also through two structures dedicated to chronic diseases: Chronicle Bio, a biotechnology company, and CODA (Complex Disorders Alliance), a research association supported by patients.
Reorganization at OpenAI
In an internal message seen by the Wall Street Journal, Fidji Simo explains that the responsibilities attached to his position will be divided between Greg Brockman, financial director Sarah Friar and head of strategy, Jason Kwon. Sam Altman reacted on X: “I’m really sad for Fiji and grateful for everything she has done for OpenAI. We wish her a speedy recovery.”
