Larry Summers, the creator of ChatGPT, has resigned from OpenAI following the disclosure of his correspondence with the late convicted child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. His decision to step down came to light as emails revealed a continued amicable connection with Epstein even after the latter’s conviction in 2008 for child sex crimes. The OpenAI board acknowledged Summers’ resignation and expressed gratitude for his contributions and unique perspectives during his tenure.
The announcement of Summers’ departure followed a declaration made by him a day earlier, where he stated his intention to withdraw from public commitments. In a separate statement conveyed by his spokesperson Kelly Friendly, Summers articulated his appreciation for the opportunity to serve on the OpenAI board, conveyed optimism about the company’s potential, and expressed interest in monitoring its future developments. Summers had joined the OpenAI board in November 2023 as part of an initiative to stabilize the organization, reinstate CEO Sam Altman, who had been dismissed by the previous board members shortly before.
In a message to CBS, Summers expressed deep regret for his actions and acknowledged the harm they had caused. Prior to his involvement with OpenAI, Summers had held positions such as treasury secretary under former Democratic President Bill Clinton and president of Harvard University from 2001 to 2006. Epstein, a convicted sex offender who passed away by suicide years ago, was notorious for his associations with affluent and influential individuals, fueling speculation and controversy regarding misconduct within American elite circles.
A political standoff ensued between the White House and Republican lawmakers regarding the release of the Epstein Files. Following indications of significant dissent within his own party and sufficient support for the bill’s passage to disclose the files, President Trump reversed his stance on their release.