Larry Summers quits openAI board over Epstein links

(Sharecast News) - Former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers on Wednesday said he would quit the board of OpenAI after the release of emails between him and serial sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Summers had already on Monday announced a withdrawal from all public commitments.

"In line with my announcement to step away from my public commitments, I have also decided to resign from the board of OpenAI," Summers said in a statement. "I am grateful for the opportunity to have served, excited about the potential of the company, and look forward to following their progress."

Last week a House of Representatives committee released emails exposing years of personal correspondence between Epstein and Summers including the latter making sexist comments and seeking romantic advice from the sex offender.

"Larry has decided to resign from the OpenAI Board of directors, and we respect his decision," OpenAI's board of directors said in a statement. "We appreciate his many contributions and the perspective he brought to the board."

Summers had previously served as former President Bill Clinton's Treasury secretary, former President Barack Obama's National Economic Council director, and as Harvard University president. He resigned the Harvard post in 2006 after facing pressure amid multiple controversies.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com