Larry Summers, former U.S. Treasury Secretary under President Bill Clinton and ex-president of Harvard University, has stepped down from the board of the technology firm OpenAI, reports Baltimore Chronicle. Summers’ resignation was confirmed by the OpenAI Board of Directors, which issued a statement praising his contributions and the insights he provided during his tenure.
Summers’ departure occurred shortly after he publicly expressed being “deeply ashamed” of his prior interactions with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Last week, email correspondence between Summers and Epstein was released by the U.S. House Oversight Committee. There are no allegations from any Epstein survivors claiming misconduct by Summers, and no public evidence linking him to Epstein’s criminal activities.
“In line with my decision to step away from public roles, I have also chosen to resign from the OpenAI board,” Summers stated. “I am thankful for having served, remain excited about the company’s potential, and will continue to follow its progress.”
Summers had earlier announced his intention to withdraw from public life following the disclosure of his communications with Epstein. He continues to serve on Harvard University’s faculty, although there have been calls, including from Senator Elizabeth Warren, for the university to reconsider its association with him.
Harvard University has confirmed that it will launch a new review into Summers’ past involvement with Epstein. The institution previously examined its connections to Epstein five years ago, including donations he made during Summers’ presidency from 2001 to 2006.
“I am deeply ashamed of my actions and the pain they have caused. I take full responsibility for my decision to maintain communication with Mr. Epstein,” Summers said in a statement earlier this week. “While continuing to fulfill my teaching duties, I will step back from public roles to rebuild trust and repair relationships with those affected.”
Reports indicate that Summers maintained a long-term relationship with Epstein, including at least four flights on Epstein’s private aircraft. During Summers’ presidency at Harvard, the university received millions in donations from Epstein. All contributions were made prior to Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea in Florida on charges of solicitation of prostitution with a minor, according to Harvard’s review of his connections.
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