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One-time economic leader the Harvard professor is departing from the directorate at the ChatGPT creator, just several days after a collection of electronic messages between him and deceased financier the disgraced billionaire became widely known.

He commented in a statement that he was "thankful for the opportunity to have served, excited about the promise of the company, and anticipate following their progress".

Summers, who once led the prestigious university, stated on Monday that he would be stepping back from public responsibilities due to his association with the convicted sex offender.

Message Exchange

The newly public communications revealed that the economist exchanged messages with Jeffrey Epstein until the eve of Epstein's 2019 arrest for suspected trafficking of underage individuals.

In another announcement, the artificial intelligence company expressed it respected Summers' choice to depart.

"We acknowledge his significant contributions and the viewpoint he provided to the governing body," OpenAI remarked.

Congressional Action

This announcement comes after the two houses of Congress voted on Tuesday to approve a legislation that would compel the US justice department to make public its documents on Jeffrey Epstein.

The legislation will then head to the office of US President Donald Trump for signature. The President has said he expects to sign the measure, after reversing his view on the matter following pushback from his base.

Email Contents

A collection of Epstein-related messages disclosed by the House Oversight Committee recently referenced numerous well-known personalities in the billionaire's past associates, without indicating any legal wrongdoing by those figures.

The messages revealed that Summers and Epstein dined together frequently, with the billionaire often seeking to introduce the official to prominent world leaders.

Personal Accountability

After the emails were made available with the public, Summers stated he accepted "total ownership for my misguided judgment to persist in communicating with Jeffrey Epstein".

He continued that he desired "to restore confidence and fix bonds with the individuals most important to me".

Career Background

The professor served in senior posts under two Democratic presidents; acting as treasury secretary under the former president, and as head of the National Economic Council under President Obama.

He presided over the university from 2001 to 2006 and remains a faculty member there. When declaring his departure from public duties previously on this week, he said he would persist with his academic responsibilities.

Further Repercussions

Following Summers' statement on earlier this week, the policy organization, a liberal research organization in DC where the professor was a prominent member, confirmed that Summers was no longer connected with the organization.

Summers entered the directorate of OpenAI, which develops ChatGPT, in the previous year - following a unsuccessful effort to replace its chief executive Sam Altman.