OpenAI’s No.2 Executive Steps Down for Health, Shifts to Part‑Time Advisor Amid Pre‑IPO Turbulence

OpenAI’s second‑in‑command, product and AGI applications head Fidji Simo announced on Thursday that she will resign from her executive duties and serve as a part‑time advisor, citing a severe worsening of her chronic condition, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). She disclosed in an internal memo that she will take medical leave until April 2026 for recovery.

During her absence, OpenAI President Greg Brockman will assume product responsibilities. The announcement also noted recent senior‑leadership turnover, including Brad Lightcap moving to a special‑projects role and the departures of finance chief Sarah Friar and product lead Kevin Weil.

Simo shared a personal post on X describing a three‑month acute flare‑up of a seven‑year‑long illness, the emotional difficulty of stepping back, and a missed opportunity to heed Mark Zuckerberg’s advice to “think long‑term.” She reflected on how her drive for impact had to be balanced with health, emphasizing the need to listen to one’s body.

She reaffirmed her belief that artificial intelligence can address everyday human challenges—particularly health, finance, and time management—and expressed enthusiasm for continuing work on disease‑curing initiatives through collaborations with ChronicleBioAI and CODA_research.

Industry context shows OpenAI facing heightened competition from Anthropic. SensorTower data indicate ChatGPT’s monthly user share fell from 81 % in 2024 to roughly 50 % in 2025. Anthropic’s Claude generates $2.76 per user versus ChatGPT’s $1.74, and its iOS subscription conversion rate (13 %) outpaces ChatGPT’s 8 %.

Reports suggest OpenAI has quietly filed an IPO application, with the public timeline likely pushed to 2027, adding uncertainty to the company’s leadership structure ahead of a potential public listing.

CEO Sam Altman posted on X thanking Simo for her contributions, friendship, and personal qualities, underscoring the high regard in which she is held within the organization.