ChatGPT should reach billions of users, OpenAI’s Simo says

OpenAI’s incoming head of applications, Fidji Simo, said she sees growing ChatGPT’s customer base to billions of users.

“ChatGPT reaches hundreds of millions of people, but fundamentally, AI should change lives for everyone,” Simo said, speaking remotely at VivaTech summit in Paris on Thursday. “We need to be reaching billions.”

Simo, who was recruited in May to take on the role, said that productivity, health care and education applications will increase the need for AI agents and devices. As head of AI applications, she’ll take on many of the operational duties currently held by Sam Altman, including finance and product development.

Simo is joining the generative AI company this year after she transitions out of her role as chief executive officer of Instacart operator Maplebear Inc., which she’s led for four years.