Former U.S. treasury secretary Larry Summers has stepped down from the board of OpenAI, the company confirmed Wednesday, following the release of emails showing he maintained a cordial relationship with Jeffrey Epstein years after the financier’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
In a statement, OpenAI said it respects Summers’ decision to leave and thanked him for his contributions and insight. The announcement came one day after Summers publicly stated he would be reducing his public engagements.
Summers issued his own statement through spokesperson Kelly Friendly, saying that as part of his decision to withdraw from public commitments, he would also resign from OpenAI’s board. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve and said he remains optimistic about the company’s future.
Summers joined the board in November 2023 during a turbulent period at OpenAI, as the organization sought to regain stability and reinstate CEO Sam Altman after a brief board-led ouster.
Epstein, who died by suicide several years ago, was a convicted sex offender whose ties to influential figures have fueled widespread controversy and conspiracy theories.
