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In a significant development, Larry Summers, the noted economist and former U.S. Treasury Secretary, has stepped down from his position on the board of OpenAI. This decision comes in the wake of recently leaked emails that have brought to light his connections with the late Jeffrey Epstein, who was a convicted sex offender.
The announcement was made public through a statement from the OpenAI board, acknowledging Summers’ departure. “Larry has decided to resign from the OpenAI Board of Directors, and we respect his decision,” the board expressed. They further added, “We appreciate his many contributions and the perspective he brought to the Board.”
Summers’ resignation marks a noteworthy moment for OpenAI, as the organization continues to navigate its mission amidst the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and ethical considerations. His exit underscores the ongoing scrutiny faced by public figures with past associations to Epstein, whose criminal activities have had far-reaching implications.
(The Hill) – Economist and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers resigned from his role on the OpenAI board days after leaked emails unveiled his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“Larry has decided to resign from the OpenAI Board of Directors, and we respect his decision,” the board said in a statement to The Hill. “We appreciate his many contributions and the perspective he brought to the Board.”
One of his messages to Epstein in March 2019 about his interaction with a girl reads, “I said what are you up to. She said ‘I’m busy’. I said awfully coy u are,” according to documents released last week by the House Oversight Committee.
Several entities have severed ties with Summers over the correspondence. Summers, a Harvard professor, announced earlier this week that he would be “stepping back” from his public commitments and taking full responsibility for his actions.
“In line with my announcement to step away from my public commitments, I have also decided to resign from the board of OpenAI,” Summers said in a separate statement issued by his spokesperson, Kelly Friendly, which was obtained by The Hill.
The New York Times has also decided not to extend his contract as a contributing writer for their opinion section over the fallout, in addition to his departure as a distinguished senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and as an advisor for the Budget Lab at Yale, according to The Guardian.
“I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused,” Summers said on Monday. “I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein.”