Larry Summers, president emeritus and professor at Harvard University, at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
Stefan Vermes | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers announced Wednesday that he is resigning from OpenAI’s board following the release of emails between him and notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Summers announced Monday that he would step back from all public duties, but it was not immediately clear whether that included his position at the artificial intelligence startup.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to work for them, excited about the company’s potential, and look forward to watching their progress,” Summers told CNBC.
OpenAI’s board of directors told CNBC that it respects Summers’ decision to resign.
“We appreciate his many contributions and the perspective he brings to the board,” the OpenAI board said in a statement.
Details of Summers’ interactions with Epstein were made public last week after the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released more than 20,000 documents obtained pursuant to a subpoena from Epstein’s estate. Summers has come under intense scrutiny following the release of these files.
Summers joined OpenAI’s board in 2023 during a tumultuous time for the startup. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was briefly forced out of the company, but was reinstated as chief executive a few days later.
Summers was appointed to the board of directors, along with former co-CEO Brett Taylor, in what some OpenAI employees have dubbed “The Blip.” sales forceand Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo were the only members of OpenAI’s previous board who still held seats.
Axios first reported Summers’ resignation from the board.
President Donald Trump on Friday asked the Justice Department to investigate the relationship between Mr. Epstein and Mr. Summers, as well as Mr. Epstein’s relationships with former President Bill Clinton, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and billionaire tech investor Reid Hoffman. Trump is under new pressure over his past friendship with Epstein.
Summers is a former president of Harvard University, and Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren told CNN on Monday that the university should sever ties with him. He announced his intention to step back from public life later that day, but said he would continue to fulfill his teaching duties at Harvard University.
“I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused. I take full responsibility for my poor decision to continue to communicate with Mr. Epstein,” Summers said in a statement to CNBC on Monday.
Congress agreed Tuesday to pass a bipartisan bill ordering the Justice Department to release all files on Epstein, paving the way for Trump to sign the bill.
WATCH: House votes overwhelmingly to further release Epstein investigation files, sends bill to Senate
