OpenAI Appoints Arvind KC as Chief People Officer to Drive Workforce Strategy
OpenAI, the American artificial intelligence research organization renowned for ChatGPT, has announced the appointment of Arvind KC as its new Chief People Officer. This strategic move was confirmed through an official press release from the company, highlighting a pivotal moment in OpenAI's expansion and talent management efforts.
Key Responsibilities and Timing of the Appointment
In his new role, Arvind KC will be tasked with shaping how OpenAI manages its growing workforce. His responsibilities encompass overseeing critical functions such as hiring, onboarding, employee development, performance management, and the implementation of organizational systems and policies. These elements are designed to foster collaboration and high performance across the company as it scales.
OpenAI emphasized that this appointment comes at a crucial juncture, as artificial intelligence continues to transform work processes and the company experiences rapid growth. This expansion occurs against a backdrop of intense competition for technology talent in Silicon Valley, making effective people management more vital than ever.
Background and Career of Arvind KC
Arvind KC brings over 25 years of extensive experience in technology and people leadership to OpenAI. Prior to this role, he served as Chief People and Systems Officer at Roblox, a major gaming platform, where he led workforce strategy and internal systems. His career includes senior leadership positions at prominent US technology firms, including Google, Palantir Technologies, and Meta Platforms.
At Palantir, he held the dual roles of Chief Information Officer and head of people operations, overseeing technology strategy and organizational systems. During his tenure at Google, he served as vice-president of engineering, leading product development initiatives focused on enterprise tools. His professional expertise spans internal product development, information technology, information security, engineering leadership, organizational design, and workforce management.
Arvind KC began his career in supply chain systems within the semiconductor industry, gaining early operational expertise before transitioning into broader technology and people management roles. He holds an MBA from Santa Clara University in the United States and a degree in chemical engineering from a university in India.
Role at OpenAI and Leadership Insights
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, where OpenAI is headquartered, KC will report directly to the company's leadership team. His primary objective will be to ensure that OpenAI's people processes and policies align with its strategic goals. The company stated that his leadership will be central to maintaining its culture while enabling effective scaling.
Fidji Simo, Chief Executive Officer of Applications at OpenAI, commented in the announcement that KC's appointment is intended to ensure OpenAI's internal systems match its ambitions as it continues to build and grow. This move underscores OpenAI's commitment to strengthening its organizational framework amid ongoing expansion.
OpenAI has been actively expanding its workforce and product offerings in recent years, driven by the increasing integration of AI tools into business and daily life. The appointment of Arvind KC as Chief People Officer follows the departure of the previous Chief People Officer, Julia Villagra, who left the company in August 2025 after less than six months in the role.