Fidji Simo is leaving her full-time position as head of OpenAI ’s AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) work to take a part-time role as a consultant . She announced her decision via X (formerly Twitter), revealing that she is recovering from a chronic illness that has proven to be much longer and more complex than she expected. The development marks another chapter in a series of changes that have marked the company’s leadership in recent months.
Simo announced in April that she was taking a medical leave due to a neuroimmune condition — a chronic illness she has lived with for seven years. The severe flare-up of the disease coincided with her assuming the new title of AGI Chief, shortly after serving as CEO of Applications . In her post, Simo wrote, “It has been a disorienting experience to spend my days helping to build the future while simultaneously dealing with a disease that still has no cure.”
See also: OpenAI desktop “superapp”: Combines ChatGPT, Codex and Atlas
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed his regret at Simo's departure and publicly thanked her for her contributions to the company. OpenAI is at a critical stage of development, with huge ambitions in the field of AGI , and any change in leadership attracts close attention from the global technology community.
Fidji Simo and the restructuring of OpenAI
Fidji Simo’s medical leave has sparked a series of changes at OpenAI. During her absence, company president Greg Brockman has taken over product, leading efforts to build a super app. Meanwhile, CSO Jason Kwon, CFO Sarah Friar , and CRO Denise Dresser have taken over the business side of the company.
In May, OpenAI underwent a formal reorganization, with Brockman officially taking responsibility for product strategy and scaling. According to an internal memo seen by The Verge, Brockman said the reorganization aims to strengthen the company’s AI agent goals by merging products into a single agentic platform . Specifically, ChatGPT and Codex will be combined into a unified user experience . Brockman oversees four key areas: core products and platforms, critical business industries, consumer sectors (healthcare, commerce, personal finance), and infrastructure, data, and development.
It’s worth noting that Simo’s departure wasn’t the only change in leadership. Around the same time, COO Brad Lightcap stepped down from his role to focus on special projects, while CMO Kate Rouch also stepped down for health reasons, with plans to return to a more limited role when her condition allows. These changes reflect a broader transition for OpenAI, which is trying to balance rapid growth with stability at the helm.
See also: OpenAI introduces GPT-Live for more realistic conversation with ChatGPT
Fidji Simo: The role of AGI in the future of OpenAI
Fidji Simo's AGI Chief position is particularly critical for OpenAI, as the company has explicitly stated that developing Artificial General Intelligence is at the core of its mission. AGI — the creation of AI systems that can perform any mental task a human can — is the long-term goal that guides the company's investments and strategic decisions.
OpenAI faces intense competition from companies like Google DeepMind, Anthropic , and Meta AI, which are also investing heavily in developing advanced AI. In this context, leadership stability is critical to maintaining the company’s competitive position. Simo’s departure, even if due to serious health reasons, raises questions about how the leadership vacuum in this area will be filled.
Fidji Simo's story also highlights an important aspect of modern tech work culture: the pressures on high-level executives and the difficulty of managing serious health issues while in critical positions of responsibility. Her public announcement of her illness and her decision to prioritize her health have received positive feedback from the tech community, which recognizes the importance of mental and physical well-being even at the highest levels of corporate hierarchy.
See also: OpenAI announces new hardware… for Codex
OpenAI has yet to officially announce who will take on the role of AGI Chief , while the company continues to expand rapidly, with new products, partnerships, and investments announced at regular intervals. Fidji Simo, now in an advisory role, is expected to continue contributing to the company's strategy, albeit on a reduced basis, while it focuses on its recovery.
