Larry Summers, the former president of Harvard University and Treasury Secretary under Bill Clinton, has stepped down from the board of OpenAI following revelations about his longstanding relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Summers’ resignation was announced on Wednesday, coinciding with his decision to withdraw from public engagements after lawmakers released emails that highlighted his communications with Epstein. He expressed feelings of “deep shame” regarding the situation, as reported by Bloomberg.
OpenAI released a statement saying, “Larry has decided to step down from the OpenAI Board of Directors, and we respect his decision. We appreciate his many contributions and the perspective he brings to the board.”
Summers, who joined OpenAI’s board in November 2023, mentioned that his resignation aligns with prior announcements and expressed regret over his ongoing communication with Epstein. He stated, “I am grateful for the opportunity to work for them, excited about the company’s potential, and look forward to watching their progress.”
The former Treasury Secretary’s retreat from public life goes beyond his role at OpenAI. He will also cease his role as a paid contributor to Bloomberg TV and will not be under contract with them anymore. Additionally, he plans to resign from several other positions, including his chairman role at the Center for World Development and a fellowship at the Center for American Progress.
Summers joined the OpenAI board during a challenging period for the company, marked by CEO Sam Altman’s recent return after a short dismissal by the board. As a director, Summers was involved in reviewing the circumstances surrounding Altman’s termination.
The emails released provide insight into Summers and Epstein’s friendship, containing discussions about the public’s reaction to sexual harassment allegations. Summers acknowledged his “wrong decision” in maintaining contact with Epstein.
