Larry Summers resigns from OpenAI after Epstein files release
Make us a preferred source
Make us a preferred source on Google
The news: Former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers has stepped down from his role on the board of OpenAI, amid revelations about the depth of his relationship with the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The context: “Larry has decided to resign from the OpenAI Board of Directors, and we respect his decision,” OpenAI said in a statement to Bloomberg on Wednesday. “We appreciate his many contributions and the perspective he brought to the Board.”
US lawmakers released a trove of documents revealing correspondence Epstein had continued with Summers and other notable figures. On Tuesday Congress agreed to pass a bipartisan bill ordering the Department of Justice to release all of its files on Epstein.
In one email exchange between Summers and Epstein, the two discussed the topic of public attitudes toward allegations of sexual harassment. “I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein,” Summers said on Monday.
Summers said he would stepping away from public commitments and that he was “deeply ashamed” of continuing communication with Epstein.
OpenAI’s board told CNBC it respects Summers’ decision to resign.
Summers joined the OpenAI board in 2023.
