OpenAI has announced that Fidji Simo, the current CEO of the American delivery service Instacart and former head of Facebook App, will lead its app development efforts. According to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, this move will allow him to concentrate on areas such as research, computing infrastructure, and AI safety.
Simo brings extensive experience in mobile technology and product development. She joined Facebook in 2011 and by 2019 had become the head of the Facebook app. During her time there, she played a key role in the creation and development of major features like the news feed, Stories, and live video. These innovations significantly contributed to the platform’s engagement and its advertising revenue. In 2021, she moved to Instacart as CEO and led the company through a period of growth and preparation for a public offering, which took place two years later.
Although she has already served on the OpenAI board of directors since last year, Simo will not immediately leave her role at Instacart. In a LinkedIn post, she informed colleagues and employees that she would remain CEO “for a few more months” and continue to support the company until a successor is named.
OpenAI Focuses on Expanding User Access
OpenAI’s decision to emphasize mobile application development reflects its goal to broaden user access and improve the user experience across platforms. Following the release of ChatGPT on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS, the company is working to enhance and streamline these offerings. App development is becoming a more central focus, aligning with user expectations for accessibility and seamless integration, notes NIX Solutions.
Additionally, OpenAI is reportedly exploring the creation of its own social media platform, possibly similar to X. This move suggests a broader strategy to create engaging ecosystems where AI tools can be used naturally and frequently.
We’ll keep you updated as more developments unfold in OpenAI’s app strategy and leadership transitions.