OpenAI’s AGI boss is taking a leave of absence | The Verge

AINewsOpenAIOpenAI’s AGI boss is taking a leave of absenceIn a memo, Fidji Simo says she will be on medical leave ‘for the next several weeks.’In a memo, Fidji Simo says she will be on medical leave ‘for the next several weeks.’by Hayden FieldApr 3, 2026, 8:22 PM UTCLinkShareGiftBloomberg via Getty ImagesHayden Field is The Verge’s senior AI reporter. An AI beat reporter for more than five years, her work has also appeared in CNBC, MIT Technology Review, Wired UK, and other outlets.OpenAI is undergoing another round of C-suite changes, according to an internal memo viewed by The Verge.Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s CEO of AGI deployment — who was until recently the company’s CEO of Applications — says in the memo that she will be stepping away on medical leave “for the next several weeks” due to a neuroimmune condition. While she’s out, OpenAI president Greg Brockman will be in charge of product, including leading OpenAI’s super app efforts. On the business side, CSO Jason Kwon, CFO Sarah Friar, and CRO Denise Dresser will take charge.OpenAI’s CMO, Kate Rouch, has also decided to step down in order to focus on her health, according to Simo. Gary Briggs will temporarily step in to replace Rouch, reporting to Kwon, and the two of them, along with Rouch, will lead the search for her replacement. Rouch “plans to return to a different, more narrowly scoped role when her health allows,” Simo says.Brad Lightcap, OpenAI’s COO, has also decided to step down from his role and transition into ...