Former U.S. Treasury Secretary and prominent economist Larry Summers has stepped down from the board of OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company behind ChatGPT, following the public disclosure of emails detailing his communications with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Summers, whose decision was announced just over a week after the release of the documents, stated he was grateful for his service and would continue to monitor the company’s progress. The departure is the latest consequence for Summers, who previously announced he would reduce his public activities due to the surfacing of his ties to Epstein.
OpenAI acknowledged and accepted Summers’ exit, expressing gratitude for his contributions and insights during his tenure. He had joined the board in 2023, following the tumultuous leadership changes that included the brief removal of CEO Sam Altman.
The emails, which were recently made public by the House Oversight Committee, revealed that Summers maintained correspondence with Epstein right up until the day before Epstein was arrested in 2019 on charges related to the alleged sex trafficking of minors. The communications reportedly discussed frequent dinners and Epstein’s attempts to connect Summers with various high-profile global figures. While the leaked documents detailed the proximity of several notable individuals to Epstein’s network, they did not indicate any legal misconduct on the part of those mentioned.
Political and Professional Repercussions
Summers, who has held significant political roles including Treasury Secretary under President Bill Clinton and Director of the National Economic Council under President Barack Obama, has accepted full responsibility for his continued contact with Epstein. He has publicly committed to rebuilding trust and repairing personal relationships.
While stepping back from public-facing roles, Summers confirmed he would continue his academic responsibilities as a professor at Harvard University. Conversely, his affiliation with the Center for American Progress, where he previously served as a senior fellow, has ended, as confirmed by the think tank.
This development occurs against a backdrop of increasing political pressure in Washington D.C. for transparency regarding the Epstein investigation. Both chambers of Congress recently voted to compel the U.S. Department of Justice to release its complete files on Epstein. The measure is now pending the signature of President Donald Trump, who has indicated his intention to approve the bill following significant public and political lobbying.
OpenAI continues to face intense public scrutiny regarding its governance and ethical oversight, even as the company strives to navigate the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence technology. Summers’ departure underscores the ongoing professional repercussions facing public figures whose associations with Epstein have been exposed. For his part, Summers maintains his commitment to his teaching duties while reducing his involvement in the political and corporate spheres.