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Ex-Treasury chief Larry Summers is exiting the board at the artificial intelligence firm, just several days after a series of emails between him and notorious criminal Jeffrey Epstein became widely known.

Summers commented in a statement that he was "grateful for the opportunity to have served, excited about the promise of the company, and eagerly await observing their advancement".

Summers, who previously led the Ivy League institution, declared on earlier this week that he would be stepping back from public responsibilities due to his connections with Epstein.

Digital Correspondence

The recently released emails demonstrated that Summers exchanged messages with the financier until the eve of Epstein's 2019 detention for accused human trafficking of minors.

In another announcement, the technology organization said it understood Summers' choice to step down.

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

Legislative Background

This development follows after both chambers of the legislative branch decided on this week to approve a bill that would require the US justice department to disclose its documents on Epstein.

The bill will afterward move to the desk of US President Donald Trump for signature. Trump has stated he plans to approve the legislation, after reversing his view on the subject following objections from his followers.

Message Details

A collection of Epstein-related messages made public by the Congressional committee days ago referenced several prominent individuals in the billionaire's past associates, without implying any criminal activity by those figures.

The emails indicated that Summers and Jeffrey Epstein often met for meals, with he often attempting to link Summers to influential world leaders.

Individual Statement

After the emails were shared with the wider community, he expressed he accepted "full responsibility for my ill-advised choice to persist in corresponding with Mr Epstein".

He added that he wanted "to restore faith and repair relationships with the individuals nearest to me".

Professional History

Summers occupied senior posts under Democratic administrations; serving as economic leader under Bill Clinton, and as head of the White House economic team under President Obama.

He presided over the university from five years and continues to be a faculty member there. When stating his departure from public duties recently on Monday, he stated he would maintain his academic responsibilities.

Further Repercussions

Following his declaration on earlier this week, the Center for American Progress, a progressive policy institute in the capital where Summers was a researcher, verified that he was not connected with the institution.

He joined the leadership of the AI company, which creates the AI chatbot, in last year - following a defeated move to oust its top executive OpenAI's head.