OpenAI undergoes major personnel changes: the Chief Operating Officer is reassigned, and two executives temporarily step back due to health reasons.

OpenAI Major Personnel Changes

As early as this year for an IPO may be possible, major changes have occurred in OpenAI’s management: the Chief Operating Officer (COO) has shifted roles, and two other executives have temporarily stepped away due to health reasons.

It is reported that Brad Lightcap, who has long served as Chief Operating Officer, will move to the role of “Head of Special Projects,” reporting directly to CEO Sam Altman. One of his main tasks is to lead the joint venture project that OpenAI is forming in cooperation with a private equity firm, to drive the development of the enterprise software sales business.

The newly appointed Chief Revenue Officer, Denise Dresser, will take over part of Lightcap’s previous responsibilities.

At the same time, Chief Marketing Officer Kate Rouch will step down to focus on cancer recovery treatment, and plans to return to her position with more limited responsibilities if her health allows. The company is looking for a new Chief Marketing Officer.

In addition, CEO Fidji Simo, who is responsible for AGI business and also coordinates the company’s core operations, will receive a new therapy for a persistent neuroimmunological condition. She is expected to take several weeks off and then return to her role.

This series of personnel changes comes at a critical stage for the company. OpenAI is preparing for a possible initial public offering (IPO), and this week it completed a funding round totaling $122 billion, bringing the company’s valuation to $852 billion.

Meanwhile, the company is also exploring new revenue sources, including introducing ads in ChatGPT. In addition, OpenAI faces pressure from competitors such as Google, an Alphabet subsidiary, and Anthropic. Anthropic is also expected to go public as early as this year.

In a statement, OpenAI said: “We have a strong management team focused on advancing cutting-edge research, expanding our global user base to nearly 1 billion users, and accelerating the rollout of enterprise applications. The company has the ability to execute its strategy consistently and maintain stable growth momentum.”

In fact, this is not the first time OpenAI has experienced upheaval at the top. Within months after Altman was briefly removed at the end of 2023, the company went through a series of well-known executive departures. It then reorganized its board and executive team, significantly expanding the organization and bringing in veteran managers with market, financial, and operational experience.

Fidji Simo previously served as CEO of Instacart, and joined OpenAI’s executive team last year, responsible for driving the company’s product strategy. Recently, she played a key role in pushing the company to integrate its previously fragmented product system, spearheading the creation of a “super app” that brings together a chatbot, programming tools, and a browser.

She also advocated for reducing investment in “side projects.” Soon after, the company stopped supporting her AI video generation tool and moved forward with testing an ads business in ChatGPT.

In an internal memo, Simo said: “The timing is frustrating because we have a highly compelling development roadmap and the team is pushing hard. I don’t want to miss any moment. But the company is in good shape—we have an excellent team that can step in.”

During Simo’s leave, OpenAI co-founder and president Greg Brockman will handle product work. Other executives will also share her responsibilities, including Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon, Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar, and Denise Dresser.

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Editor: Shi Xiuzhen (SF183)