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Ex-Treasury chief Larry Summers is exiting the board at OpenAI, just days after a collection of emails between him and notorious criminal Jeffrey Epstein became public.

He remarked in a release that he was "grateful for the privilege to have served, enthusiastic about the prospects of the organization, and look forward observing their advancement".

The prominent academic, who once headed Harvard University, announced on earlier this week that he would be scaling back from public responsibilities due to his connections with Jeffrey Epstein.

Digital Correspondence

The newly public communications revealed that the economist communicated with the financier until the 24 hours preceding his 2019 arrest for suspected trafficking of minors.

In a separate statement, the AI firm stated it respected the economist's determination to depart.

"We value his significant contributions and the insight he offered to the Board," the company remarked.

Congressional Action

This news arrives after both chambers of Congress voted on this week to approve a bill that would mandate the US justice department to disclose its files on Jeffrey Epstein.

The legislation will subsequently move to the desk of President Trump for approval. He has indicated he plans to sign the legislation, after modifying his view on the subject following objections from his supporters.

Email Contents

A group of financier-linked emails made public by the Congressional committee last week referenced numerous high-profile figures in the Epstein's previous network, without implying any illegal behavior by those individuals.

The emails revealed that the economist and the financier often met for meals, with the billionaire often seeking to introduce Summers to prominent world leaders.

Individual Statement

After the correspondence were released with the general audience, Summers expressed he accepted "full responsibility for my poor decision to maintain corresponding with the financier".

He continued that he hoped "to rebuild trust and mend connections with the people closest to me".

Professional History

The professor held high-level positions under party leaders; serving as treasury secretary under Bill Clinton, and as director of the National Economic Council under Barack Obama.

He led Harvard from 2001 to 2006 and continues to be a academic there. When announcing his withdrawal from public duties recently on Monday, he stated he would continue his teaching commitments.

Further Repercussions

Following his declaration on Monday, the Washington think tank, a left-leaning research organization in Washington where Summers was a senior fellow, announced that he was no longer connected with the institution.

He joined the directorate of the technology firm, which makes ChatGPT, in last year - following a failed attempt to oust its CEO Sam Altman.