OpenAI key executive Fidji Simo steps down due to illness OpenAI AGI Deployment CEO Fidji Simo is stepping down from her full-time management role due to a severe worsening of a chronic illness. She is a core executive at OpenAI, second only to Sam Altman, overseeing product and business teams, including ChatGPT, Codex, and other initiatives. Simo has been on medical leave for 3 months and stated that her recovery process is taking longer than expected. She will continue contributing to OpenAI as a part-time advisor in the future.