'Friction' email lets OpenAI staff convey 'office frustrations' directly to Altman

OpenAI operates an internal email address labelled "friction" that lets staff report bureaucratic hurdles, tech issues and office frustrations directly to top leaders, including CEO Sam Altman and President Greg Brockman, Fortune reported. Leadership reviews the emails and decides which issues need action. The system existed before, but gained momentum after Fidji Simo joined OpenAI in 2025.