Larry Summers, the former U.S. Treasury Secretary and ex-president of Harvard University, is resigning from the board of OpenAI in light of recently released emails revealing his communication with Jeffrey Epstein before Epstein’s 2019 arrest. In a statement to the BBC, Summers expressed gratitude for his time at OpenAI and highlighted his enthusiasm for the company’s potential.
Following the release of these emails, which indicated Summers maintained contact with Epstein until just before Epstein’s arrest for alleged sex trafficking, Summers announced his intent to step back from public commitments due to his connections with Epstein.
OpenAI acknowledged Summers’ resignation, stating they respect his decision and appreciate the contributions he made while on the board. Concurrently, both chambers of Congress passed a measure requiring the U.S. Justice Department to release its files related to Epstein, which awaits President Donald Trump’s approval. Trump has indicated he intends to sign the bill after reassessing his position following public feedback.
The emails released by the House Oversight Committee referred to several prominent individuals in Epstein’s social circle but did not imply any legal wrongdoing by those named. The correspondence suggested that Summers and Epstein frequently dined together, with Epstein attempting to connect Summers with influential figures.
Summers accepted “full responsibility” for his decision to engage with Epstein and expressed a desire to restore trust among those close to him. He previously held significant roles under two Democratic presidents and had joined OpenAI’s board in 2023. Following his announcement, the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, confirmed that Summers was no longer affiliated with their organization. Despite stepping back from public roles, Summers intends to continue his academic responsibilities at Harvard.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce868dmz2mdo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss