Harvard University has launched a renewed investigation into the connections between former President Larry Summers and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, following the release of emails that indicate a longstanding relationship. The university’s decision to reopen the inquiry comes as Summers announced on Wednesday that he would resign from the board of OpenAI, the organization behind the artificial intelligence platform ChatGPT.
While the university did not name Summers directly, spokesperson Jason Newton stated, “The University is conducting a review of information concerning individuals at Harvard included in the newly released Jeffrey Epstein documents to evaluate what actions may be warranted.” This statement was first reported by The Boston Globe and The Harvard Crimson.
The investigation echoes an earlier review completed in 2020, which found that Epstein visited Harvard’s campus over 40 times after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl. Notably, he was granted his own office and unrestricted access to a research center he helped establish. The professor responsible for providing Epstein with the office faced restrictions on starting new research and advising students for at least two years.
In light of the recent developments, Summers expressed his intention to step back from public commitments. His office confirmed that this includes his resignation from the board of directors of OpenAI. “I am grateful for the opportunity to have served, excited about the potential of the company, and look forward to following their progress,” he said in a statement.
OpenAI acknowledged Summers’ contributions and perspective, noting his appointment to the board in November 2023 was part of an effort to stabilize the organization and reinstate its CEO, Sam Altman, after a tumultuous period that led to Altman’s firing by previous board members.
During a recent class, Summers addressed the situation directly, acknowledging his connection with Epstein. “Some of you will have seen my statement of regret expressing my shame with respect to what I did in communication with Mr. Epstein and that I’ve said that I’m going to step back from public activities for a while. But I think it’s very important to fulfill my teaching obligations,” he stated. His remarks were recorded and shared online by Harvard student Rosie Couture.
Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019, was a convicted sex offender whose connections to powerful individuals have sparked outrage and conspiracy theories regarding elite wrongdoing in the United States. Summers served as treasury secretary from 1999 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton and was Harvard’s president from 2001 to 2006.
In response to inquiries about the emails, Summers previously stated that he has “great regrets in my life” and described his association with Epstein as a “major error in judgement.” As the investigation unfolds, the implications for both Summers and Harvard remain to be seen.
