Larry Summers has resigned from the board of OpenAI, an artificial intelligence company. This decision follows the release of emails between Mr. Summers and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Mr. Summers also stated he would be stepping back from other public commitments, while maintaining his teaching duties.
Email Contents and Context
The recently disclosed emails indicate that Mr. Summers communicated with Mr. Epstein until the day prior to Mr. Epstein's 2019 arrest for sex trafficking. The communications detail frequent dinners between Mr. Summers and Mr. Epstein, with Mr. Epstein attempting to facilitate connections for Mr. Summers with other individuals.
Summers' Statements
Following the public dissemination of these emails, Mr. Summers released a statement accepting "full responsibility" for his decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein. He also expressed a desire "to rebuild trust and repair relationships with the people closest to me." In a separate communication to the BBC, Mr. Summers conveyed gratitude for his opportunity to serve on OpenAI's board and excitement for the company's future.
OpenAI's Response and Legislative Action
OpenAI acknowledged Mr. Summers' resignation, stating appreciation for his contributions and perspective. Mr. Summers joined OpenAI's board in 2023, following an attempt to remove its chief executive, Sam Altman.
This development occurs after both chambers of Congress agreed to pass a measure requiring the U.S. Justice Department to release its files pertaining to Mr. Epstein. The measure is awaiting approval from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has indicated he intends to sign the bill. A prior batch of Epstein-related emails, released by the House Oversight Committee, mentioned several high-profile figures from Mr. Epstein's network but did not indicate legal wrongdoing by those individuals.
Summers' Professional Background
Mr. Summers has held significant positions in government and academia. He served as Treasury Secretary under President Bill Clinton and as director of the National Economic Council under President Barack Obama. He also presided over Harvard University from 2001 to 2006 and currently holds a professorship there. Subsequent to Mr. Summers' announcement, the Center for American Progress, a Washington-based liberal think tank where he was a senior fellow, confirmed his disaffiliation from the organization.