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One-time economic leader the Harvard professor is exiting the board at OpenAI, just several days after a series of electronic messages between him and late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein became public.

He remarked in a statement that he was "appreciative for the privilege to have contributed, excited about the potential of the enterprise, and look forward tracking their advancement".

Summers, who previously presided over the Ivy League institution, announced on earlier this week that he would be stepping back from public roles due to his connections with Jeffrey Epstein.

Email Communications

The recently released messages revealed that the economist communicated with Epstein until the eve of his 2019 apprehension for suspected human trafficking of young people.

In another announcement, the technology organization stated it respected Summers' determination to depart.

"We appreciate his numerous inputs and the viewpoint he offered to the governing body," the company stated.

Congressional Action

This development arrives after both chambers of Congress voted on this week to endorse a legislation that would compel the US justice department to disclose its documents on the case.

The legislation will afterward head to the desk of the White House for endorsement. He has said he expects to sign the bill, after reversing his stance on the subject following objections from his base.

Correspondence Findings

A collection of financier-linked emails released by the Congressional committee recently referenced numerous well-known personalities in the billionaire's past associates, without indicating any criminal activity by those people.

The messages showed that the economist and the financier dined together frequently, with Epstein often trying to introduce the official to prominent international personalities.

Individual Statement

After the correspondence were made available with the general audience, he stated he accepted "full responsibility for my poor choice to maintain interacting with Jeffrey Epstein".

He continued that he desired "to reestablish confidence and fix connections with the people nearest to me".

Professional History

The economist held senior posts under party leaders; acting as treasury secretary under the former president, and as leader of the National Economic Council under Barack Obama.

He presided over Harvard from 2001 to 2006 and continues to be a professor there. When announcing his step-down from public commitments recently on Monday, he indicated he would persist with his teaching commitments.

Other Impacts

Following the economist's declaration on Monday, the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning think tank in DC where Summers was a researcher, confirmed that Summers was no longer associated with the institution.

He joined the board of the technology firm, which makes the language model, in last year - following a unsuccessful effort to replace its chief executive the company leader.