Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s deputy CEO, is stepping down from her full-time role to pursue part-time advisory work, citing ongoing health challenges. Her departure comes amidst the company's push into coding tools and a new round of model launches.

Joining Simo in recent exits are COO Brad Lightcap and CPO Kevin Weil, leaving OpenAI with an already thin executive team. CEO Sam Altman has acknowledged the departure as a significant loss, expressing gratitude for her contributions to both OpenAI's success and his friendship.

The timing of Simo’s exit coincides with OpenAI’s new model launches, targeting rivals like Anthropic in the AI race. This dynamic landscape also includes shifts in employee equity, with shorter vesting periods becoming standard practice at OpenAI, reflecting the fierce competition for talent.

Despite these changes, ChatGPT remains a stalwart presence, though it recently missed its internal revenue targets. The company’s valuation of $852 billion suggests that while leadership may be in flux, the appetite for AI innovation continues to drive significant investment and speculation.