OpenAI exec Simo aims to expand ChatGPT utility while introducing paid access
Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s product chief, is nudging the company toward a wider, revenue-focused model for ChatGPT. The chatbot is already a household name, but under Simo’s watch the next step looks like new features bundled with a subscription that promises faster replies and priority access. It’s not clear yet how the market will react - the AI field is still trying to juggle open research with commercial pressure.
Some critics fear that putting a price on something that used to be free could widen the gap between early adopters and the rest of us. Simo, however, says the move isn’t just about making money; she sees it as a way to change how people use language models at scale. She points to the platform’s chance to open up creation for more folks, even while headlines warn about AI-related job loss.
The rollout is slated for later this year, so we’ll soon find out if users are willing to pay for incremental improvements. In her view, the subscription could actually spur broader participation rather than act as a barrier.
We need to be looking at this new medium as raising the floor of what could be created before and giving minimum access to people who didn't have access before. There's a lot of worry about AI disrupting jobs. I believe that there's going to be massive job creation, but some job categories are going to be deeply disrupted. That's why one of my first initiatives was launching OpenAI certifications, where we want to certify 10 million workers to be AI-ready, and a jobs marketplace to connect them with opportunities to apply those skills.
Sam Altman still runs research and the compute side, while Fidji Simo, who came on board in August, now steers the applications team. I’ve noticed Simo rarely shows up at the San Francisco office, yet her decisions echo through every product layer. She says the new medium should lift the floor of creation and give basic access to people who have been left out.
At the same time, OpenAI is nudging ChatGPT toward a subscription model - a move that could change who actually uses the tool. The company’s split structure - a nonprofit that oversees a for-profit public-benefit corporation - makes the governance picture even messier. Simo admits many worry about AI stealing jobs, but she also bets on huge new employment, even if some roles vanish.
It’s still fuzzy whether charging users will expand or shrink the audience, and the tug-of-war between openness and revenue is very much in play. I expect the next few months to show how these bets shape OpenAI’s market standing and its larger social mission.
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Common Questions Answered
What new subscription tier is OpenAI introducing for ChatGPT under Fidji Simo’s leadership?
OpenAI is launching a paid subscription tier for ChatGPT that promises faster response times and priority access to new features. The tier is part of Fidji Simo’s strategy to broaden the chatbot’s utility while generating revenue. Subscribers will experience reduced latency compared to the free version.
How does Fidji Simo plan to address AI‑related job disruption through OpenAI certifications?
Simo announced an initiative to certify 10 million workers as AI‑ready, offering OpenAI certifications that validate core AI skills. The program is paired with a jobs marketplace designed to connect certified individuals with employers seeking AI talent. This effort aims to create new employment opportunities while mitigating disruption in existing roles.
What roles do Sam Altman and Fidji Simo hold in OpenAI’s dual leadership structure?
Sam Altman oversees research and compute, steering the technical direction of OpenAI’s core models. Fidji Simo, appointed in August, heads applications, focusing on product development and user‑facing services like ChatGPT. Their complementary responsibilities define the company’s dual‑leadership approach.
According to the article, what is the intended impact of expanding ChatGPT’s utility on users who previously lacked access?
The expansion aims to raise the floor of what can be created, giving baseline access to people who didn’t have it before. By introducing paid tiers alongside free options, OpenAI hopes to democratize AI tools while sustaining growth. This strategy is meant to broaden participation without excluding those unable to pay.