WSJ Tech News Briefing

Episode: TNB Tech Minute: OpenAI’s Fidji Simo Taking Medical Leave Amid IPO Preparations
Date: April 3, 2026
Host: Danny Lewis

Episode Overview

This Tech Minute focuses on three breaking tech news stories:

• OpenAI’s chief of product and business, Fidji Simo, taking medical leave during a critical period ahead of the company’s IPO
• Exclusive reporting on Merkor, an AI training firm raising IP concerns with its data practices
• Former Grubhub executives launching a new roadside assistance venture meant to disrupt the dominance of AAA

The quick but information-rich episode keeps listeners updated on strategic industry shifts and emerging controversies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. OpenAI’s Fidji Simo Taking Medical Leave

• Announcement:
  • Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s head of product and business, is taking several weeks of medical leave due to a worsening neuroimmune condition.
  • Simo said she had previously delayed treatment and tests to focus on her role since joining OpenAI in August 2025.
• Timing & Company Impact:
  • The leave comes as OpenAI is shaking up its leadership team and preparing for its public market debut.
  • OpenAI has recently fallen behind competitor Anthropic in business customer adoption.
• Strategic Initiatives:
  • Simo has been leading a pivot in company focus, launching efforts like a new “super app” that combines ChatGPT with the coding tool Codex.
• Relevant Note:
  • Wall Street Journal’s parent company, News Corp, has a licensing partnership with OpenAI.

"In an internal note to staff, Fidji Simo said a neuroimmune condition had worsened and that she’d postponed medical tests and new therapies in order to stay focused at work since joining the artificial intelligence company last August."
— Danny Lewis, 00:24

2. Merkor’s Data Practices and IP Concerns

• Company Profile:
  • Merkor is a $10 billion startup specializing in training AI, often by having contractors review and give feedback on AI-generated material.
  • Clients include OpenAI and other major AI companies.
• Exclusive Reporting:
  • Merkor is offering to pay contractors—not companies—for archival or prior work materials, which raises intellectual property (IP) concerns, especially as many contractors cannot legally sell or license these materials.
• Company Response:
  • Merkor states it only licenses material “directly from individuals and only when they own it,” acknowledging potential pitfalls but expressing intent for legal compliance.

"We exclusively report that AI training startup Merkor is offering to pay contractors for prior work materials, raising intellectual property concerns... A Merkor spokeswoman says the company licenses content directly from individuals and only when they own it."
— Danny Lewis, 01:28

3. Grubhub Veterans Disrupt Roadside Assistance

• Startup Launch:
  • A group of former Grubhub executives have developed “Curbside sos”—a new app aimed at challenging AAA’s dominance in roadside assistance, recently acquired by Honc Technologies.
• Business Model:
  • Like Grubhub for roadside help:
    • App shows upfront pricing
    • Real-time provider tracking
    • In-app payments
• Workforce:
  • They are training gig workers to perform basic auto repairs that don’t require a tow truck or complex shop work.
• Target Market:
  • The platform serves both individuals and business customers, like fleet managers and insurance companies.

"The combined company will use the two brands to service both individual drivers and businesses like fleet managers or insurance companies by channeling grubhub’s model for food delivery into roadside repair."
— Danny Lewis, 02:02

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On OpenAI’s internal turbulence:

  "Simo's planned leave comes as OpenAI has fallen behind its rival Anthropic in the race to win over new business customers."
  — Danny Lewis, 00:41

• On the evolution of roadside help apps:

  "Similar to other service apps, the Curbside app lets users see prices in advance, track providers and make payments."
  — Danny Lewis, 02:16

Timestamps for Key Segments

• OpenAI’s Fidji Simo Medical Leave & Company Update – 00:16–01:16
• Merkor’s Data Licensing Practices & IP Concerns – 01:16–01:59
• Grubhub Execs Launch Curbside SOS, Challenging AAA – 01:59–02:22

Summary

This TNB Tech Minute captures pivotal developments at OpenAI as top leader Fidji Simo steps away on medical leave just as the company approaches its highly anticipated IPO. It also gives listeners an exclusive on Merkor’s controversial data licensing offers and spotlight’s innovative disruption in the roadside assistance sector by former Grubhub executives. The coverage highlights the high-stakes, rapidly evolving nature of the tech industry and the legal and strategic challenges being navigated by its leading firms.