Larry Summers, the creator of ChatGPT, has resigned from his position at OpenAI following the revelation of his correspondence with the late convicted child sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein. Summers’ decision to step down from the OpenAI board came to light after emails surfaced showing his ongoing friendly interactions with Epstein post his 2008 conviction for child sex offenses. The board issued a statement acknowledging Summers’ resignation, expressing appreciation for his contributions and unique insights.
The resignation announcement coincided with Summers’ prior declaration of withdrawing from public commitments. In a statement relayed by his spokesperson, Kelly Friendly, Summers stated, “In line with my decision to step back from public engagements, I have chosen to resign from the OpenAI board.” Summers, who joined the OpenAI board in November 2023 to help stabilize the organization, expressed gratitude for his tenure and eagerness to witness the company’s progress.
Summers, who had previously held esteemed positions such as Treasury Secretary under President Bill Clinton and President of Harvard, conveyed deep remorse for his actions, acknowledging the pain they have caused. Epstein, a known sex offender with ties to influential figures, including Summers, passed away by suicide years ago, leaving a legacy of scandal and intrigue within elite circles.
The release of the Epstein Files sparked a political standoff between the White House and Republicans pushing for their disclosure. Following internal party dissent and sufficient support for the bill’s passage, President Trump reversed his stance, allowing for the potential release of the controversial files.