🔗 Share this article Former Treasury Secretary Summers Steps Down from OpenAI Board The former official declared he would withdraw from public roles after Congressional panel disclosed his frequent correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein One-time economic leader the Harvard professor is exiting the directorate at OpenAI, just a week after a batch of digital correspondence between him and notorious criminal Jeffrey Epstein became public. He stated in an announcement that he was "thankful for the opportunity to have served, optimistic about the potential of the enterprise, and look forward observing their development". Summers, who once led Harvard University, announced on Monday that he would be withdrawing from public commitments due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein. Email Communications The freshly disclosed emails demonstrated that the economist corresponded with Jeffrey Epstein until the 24 hours preceding his 2019 apprehension for alleged human trafficking of minors. In additional comments, the artificial intelligence company expressed it respected his choice to step down. "We acknowledge his numerous inputs and the perspective he provided to the directors," OpenAI remarked. Congressional Action This news follows after both chambers of the legislative branch agreed on recently to endorse a measure that would compel the Department of Justice to release its records on the case. The measure will subsequently move to the administration of US President Donald Trump for approval. The President has stated he intends to sign the measure, after reversing his stance on the subject following objections from his supporters. Email Contents A group of financier-linked correspondence released by the legislative panel days ago referenced multiple prominent individuals in the billionaire's past associates, without suggesting any illegal behavior by those individuals. The emails revealed that the professor and Jeffrey Epstein regularly had dinners together, with Epstein often seeking to link Summers to notable international personalities. Individual Statement After the emails were made available with the public, Summers stated he took "total ownership for my poor decision to persist in interacting with Mr Epstein". He added that he desired "to reestablish faith and fix connections with the individuals nearest to me". Professional History The economist occupied senior posts under party leaders; functioning as economic leader under the former president, and as director of the White House economic team under Barack Obama. He presided over the university from five years and remains a faculty member there. When declaring his departure from public roles previously on this week, he indicated he would maintain his teaching commitments. Further Repercussions Following Summers' statement on Monday, the policy organization, a left-leaning research organization in the capital where the professor was a prominent member, verified that he was ceased to be associated with the institution. Summers entered the board of the technology firm, which makes ChatGPT, in the previous year - following a unsuccessful effort to remove its CEO Sam Altman.