In a major shift at the 2026 India AI Impact Summit, Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates has formally pulled out of his planned keynote speech. According to the Gates Foundation, the choice followed “careful consideration” as the billionaire faces intensifying scrutiny over recently surfaced documents connected to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
A Sudden Departure from the Global Stage
The India AI Impact Summit, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, was designed to be a showcase of India’s burgeoning technological prowess. Bill Gates was originally slated to be a premier attraction, with a high-profile keynote address scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2026. However, the atmosphere shifted as the “Epstein files” row intensified, leading to a series of conflicting reports regarding his attendance.
On the morning of the scheduled speech, the Gates Foundation India released a statement confirming that Gates would no longer be delivering his address. The foundation emphasized that the withdrawal was intended to “ensure the focus remains on the AI Summit’s key priorities.” While the statement did not explicitly name the Epstein controversy as the cause, the timing coincides with a period of intense public and media scrutiny.
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The Epstein Files Controversy
The controversy stems from the release of documents by the United States Department of Justice involving the late Jeffrey Epstein. These files have reignited public discourse regarding the associations between high-profile global figures and the convicted sex offender. Although government sources and legal documents have not alleged any criminal wrongdoing by Gates, the mere mention of his name in the context of these files has created a PR storm that threatened to overshadow the summit’s technological objectives.
Earlier in the week, government sources suggested that the Indian administration had reviewed Gates’ invitation to stand in solidarity with survivors. This led to a period of “digital disappearance” where Gates’ name was briefly removed from the summit’s official website, only to be reinstated later by the foundation before the final cancellation was announced.
Delegated Leadership and Continued Commitment
Despite the founder’s absence, the Gates Foundation has maintained that its commitment to India remains unshaken. Ankur Vora, the President of Africa and India Offices for the foundation, stepped in to represent the organization. Vora took over the speaking duties to discuss the foundation’s ongoing work in advancing health and development goals through innovative technology.
The transition to Vora was a strategic move to decouple the foundation’s philanthropic missions from the personal controversy surrounding Gates. The foundation continues to manage a vast portfolio of projects in India, ranging from sanitation and agricultural development to the integration of AI in public health systems.
Impact on the India AI Summit 2026
The summit itself has faced a series of logistical and reputational hurdles. Beyond the Gates withdrawal, the event saw the last-minute cancellation of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Furthermore, the summit was marked by minor controversies, including a viral “robot dog” incident involving Galgotias University and significant traffic disruptions in New Delhi that frustrated both delegates and local commuters.
However, the event has also celebrated major milestones. Even as the Gates news broke, the summit entered the Guinness World Records for the highest number of pledges—over 250,000—taken by students for the “responsible use of AI” within a 24-hour period.
Looking Ahead: A Focus on Sovereign AI
While the headlines remain dominated by the Epstein files row, the core of the summit continues to focus on “Sovereign AI” and “AI for All.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who inaugurated the event, has pushed for a vision where India becomes a leading voice for the Global South, building homegrown models that reduce dependence on global tech giants.
As the summit concludes on February 20, the focus will likely shift from the personal controversies of its keynote speakers back to the practical applications of AI in healthcare, agriculture, and governance. For Bill Gates, the decision to skip the event marks a cautious retreat from the public eye as he navigates the ongoing fallout of past associations, ensuring that the message of innovation remains separate from the noise of the controversy.
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