Larry Summers, the creator of ChatGPT, has resigned from his position on the board of OpenAI following the disclosure of his correspondence with the deceased child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Summers’ departure was prompted by the revelation that he maintained a friendly relationship with Epstein even after the latter’s conviction for child sex offenses in 2008. The OpenAI board confirmed his resignation in a statement, expressing appreciation for his contributions and unique perspective.
The decision to step down came shortly after Summers announced his withdrawal from public commitments. In a statement relayed by his spokesperson, Kelly Friendly, Summers stated, “In line with my decision to step away from public engagements, I am resigning from the OpenAI board.”
Joining the OpenAI board in November 2023, Summers played a role in the organization’s efforts to stabilize and reinstate its CEO, Sam Altman, following the dismissal of previous board members. In a statement to CBS, Summers expressed remorse for his actions and acknowledged the harm they caused.
Previously serving as the Treasury Secretary under President Bill Clinton, Summers also held the position of Harvard President from 2001 to 2006 and continues as a professor there. Epstein, a convicted sex offender who passed away by suicide, was notorious for his ties to influential individuals, fueling speculation and controversy surrounding elite circles in the U.S.
A contentious debate unfolded between the White House and Republicans regarding the release of the Epstein Files. President Trump reversed his stance on the matter after facing internal opposition within his party and the prospect of sufficient votes to authorize the disclosure of the files.