Washington: Former US Treasury Secretary and Harvard University President Larry Summers resigned from OpenAI's board of directors on Wednesday following backlash over previously undisclosed communications with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. "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 to Axios. "I am grateful for the opportunity to have served, excited about the potential of the company, and look forward to following their progress," he added.

According to Anadolu Agency, OpenAI's board expressed their respect for Summers' decision and acknowledged his contributions and perspective to the organization. The resignation came after Summers announced on Monday his intention to withdraw from public-facing roles, prompted by the release of emails revealing his ongoing private communications with Epstein.

Summers, who served under former President Bill Clinton and later advised former President Barack Obama, admitted to Politico that he made a misguided decision in maintaining contact with Epstein. He stated his intention to continue fulfilling his teaching obligations while stepping back from public commitments as part of his effort to rebuild trust and repair relationships.

The emails, made public, show Summers seeking Epstein's advice in pursuing a woman he regarded as his mentee. In a particular exchange, Epstein referred to himself as the economist's 'wing man,' while another email revealed Summers suggesting that women generally have a lower IQ than men. The Epstein files, which pertain to criminal charges of sex trafficking against the late offender who died in 2019, have led to significant controversy and scrutiny.

In response to the situation, both chambers of the US Congress have approved a bill mandating the Justice Department to release the Epstein files, emphasizing the importance of transparency in the matter.