Larry Summers has announced his resignation from the board of OpenAI following the release of emails that revealed his ongoing relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Summers, a former U.S. Treasury Secretary and president of Harvard University, made the announcement on Wednesday. This decision comes after he stated on Monday that he would be stepping back from all public commitments to rebuild trust and repair personal relationships.

In a statement, Summers expressed gratitude for his time at OpenAI, saying, "I am grateful for the opportunity to have served, excited about the potential of the company, and look forward to following their progress." OpenAI's board acknowledged his contributions, stating, "We respect his decision to resign and appreciate the perspective he brought to the Board."

The scrutiny surrounding Summers intensified after the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released over 20,000 documents related to Epstein, including correspondence with Summers. Epstein had previously pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl in 2008, and his connections to powerful figures have sparked ongoing controversy.

Summers joined the OpenAI board in November 2023 during a tumultuous time for the organization, which included the brief ousting of CEO Sam Altman. His resignation follows a broader investigation into Epstein's ties to prominent individuals, with Congress recently voting to release Department of Justice files on Epstein. This move aligns with President Donald Trump's directive to investigate these connections.

As part of his commitment to address the fallout from his association with Epstein, Summers has stated he will continue to fulfill his teaching obligations at Harvard. He acknowledged the pain caused by his actions, saying, "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."