Larry Summers Resigns from OpenAI Board Following Epstein Email Disclosure
Former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers has announced his resignation from the board of OpenAI, just one week after emails between him and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were disclosed. Summers expressed gratitude for his time at OpenAI and voiced excitement about the company’s future in a statement to the BBC.
Larry Summers and Epstein: Key Details
Summers, who previously served as the president of Harvard University, stated that he would be reducing his public commitments due to his association with Epstein. The recently released emails revealed that Summers maintained communication with Epstein until the day before Epstein’s arrest in 2019 for alleged sex trafficking.
OpenAI’s Response to Resignation
OpenAI acknowledged Summers’ decision to resign and appreciated his contributions to the board. “We respect his choice and are thankful for the insights he provided,” the company remarked.
Congressional Action on Epstein
This development coincides with Congress’s recent agreement to mandate the US Justice Department to release its files concerning Epstein. This measure is set to be sent to President Donald Trump for his signature. Trump has indicated he is likely to approve the legislation after facing pressure from his supporters.
Details on the Released Emails
- The House Oversight Committee shared emails linking Summers to Epstein and various notable individuals.
- No legal wrongdoing has been established against those mentioned in the correspondence.
- Summers acknowledged his “misguided decision” to maintain contact with Epstein.
Following the emergence of these emails, Summers expressed a desire to “rebuild trust and repair relationships” with those affected by his choices. He has previously held prominent positions under Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and remains a professor at Harvard.
Center for American Progress Departure
After Summers’ resignation from OpenAI, the Center for American Progress confirmed that he is no longer associated with their organization, where he was serving as a senior fellow.
Summers’ Role at OpenAI
Summers joined the OpenAI board in 2023, shortly after an unsuccessful attempt to remove CEO Sam Altman. He has since stepped back from various public roles but will continue his academic commitments at Harvard.
