Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers has announced his resignation from the board of OpenAI, following the release of emails exchanged between him and the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. On January 21, 2025, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Summers disclosed his decision in light of growing scrutiny linked to these documents.
The choice to step down comes after Summers had declared on Monday that he would be stepping back from all public commitments. It remained uncertain whether this included his role at OpenAI until Wednesday’s announcement. “I am grateful for the opportunity to have served, excited about the potential of the company, and look forward to following their progress,” he stated in a message to CNBC.
In a corresponding statement, OpenAI’s board expressed its respect for Summers’ decision and acknowledged his contributions, saying, “We appreciate his many contributions and the perspective he brought to the Board.”
Summers’ circumstances have drawn increased criticism following the publication of his correspondence with Epstein, which was made public last week. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released over 20,000 documents obtained through a subpoena linked to Epstein’s estate, further igniting scrutiny over Summers’ past decisions. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has called on Harvard University, where Summers previously served as president, to dissociate from him.
In a reflective statement, Summers expressed his remorse regarding the situation. “I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused. I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein,” he said on Monday, clarifying his commitment to fulfill his teaching responsibilities at Harvard despite his other public roles being paused.
This resignation marks a significant moment in Summers’ career, shifting the focus back to the implications of his past decisions and the broader discussions about accountability in academia and leadership. As the dialogue continues, many are eager to see how organizations and individuals respond to the fallout from these revelations.
As this story develops, further updates will be provided.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/19/larry-summers-epstein-openai.html
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Publish Date: 2025-11-19 18:01:00
