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Former US treasury secretary Lawrence Summers is leaving the directorate at the ChatGPT creator, just several days after a series of emails between him and deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein became widely known.

The economist stated in an announcement that he was "appreciative for the privilege to have contributed, optimistic about the promise of the organization, and look forward observing their progress".

The prominent academic, who formerly headed the Ivy League institution, stated on earlier this week that he would be stepping back from public roles due to his connections with the convicted sex offender.

Digital Correspondence

The recently released emails showed that Summers corresponded with Epstein until the day before the financier's 2019 apprehension for alleged sex trafficking of underage individuals.

In a separate statement, the artificial intelligence company stated it understood his choice to resign.

"We value his numerous inputs and the insight he provided to the Board," the company remarked.

Political Context

This development follows after the two houses of the legislative branch decided on Tuesday to pass a measure that would compel the US justice department to make public its files on the case.

The legislation will then move to the administration of the White House for endorsement. The President has said he plans to endorse the bill, after reversing his stance on the issue following pushback from his base.

Email Contents

A group of Epstein-connected emails released by the legislative panel last week referenced several prominent individuals in the financier's former circle, without indicating any legal wrongdoing by those figures.

The messages indicated that the economist and the financier regularly had dinners together, with Epstein often trying to connect Summers to influential world leaders.

Personal Accountability

After the emails were released with the general audience, Summers said he accepted "complete accountability for my ill-advised decision to continue corresponding with Mr Epstein".

He added that he hoped "to restore trust and fix connections with the persons nearest to me".

Career Background

The economist held leadership roles under Democratic administrations; functioning as Treasury chief under President Clinton, and as leader of the economic advisory body under President Obama.

He led Harvard from 2001 to 2006 and continues to be a academic there. When declaring his withdrawal from public commitments earlier on this week, he stated he would persist with his academic responsibilities.

Further Repercussions

Following Summers' declaration on earlier this week, the policy organization, a left-leaning policy institute in the capital where he was a senior fellow, confirmed that the economist was not affiliated with the institution.

He became part of the directorate of OpenAI, which makes the language model, in the previous year - following a failed attempt to replace its top executive Sam Altman.