Bill Gates to Skip India AI Impact Summit 2026, Says Move Aimed at Keeping Focus on Key Priorities

The Gates Foundation confirmed on Thursday that its chairman, Bill Gates, will not attend the India AI Impact Summit 2026, where he had been scheduled to deliver a keynote address.

“After careful consideration, and to ensure the focus remains on the AI Summit’s key priorities, Mr. Gates will not be delivering his keynote address,” the foundation said in a statement. It added that Ankur Vora, President of the foundation’s Africa and India Offices, would represent the organization and speak later in the day.

“The Gates Foundation remains fully committed to our work in India to advance our shared health and development goals,” the statement noted.

Earlier this week, reports had suggested Gates might skip the summit during his India visit. The foundation had initially pushed back on those claims, saying he would participate as planned.

Gates arrived in India earlier this week for engagements in Andhra Pradesh, where he met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and senior state officials. The meetings coincided with the inauguration of several initiatives supported by the Gates Foundation.

Controversy Surrounding Epstein Documents

Gates’ absence comes amid renewed public attention following references to him in a recently reported tranche of documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Media reports have highlighted emails attributed to Epstein containing allegations involving Gates.

A spokesperson for Gates strongly denied the claims, calling them “false and absurd.”

“These claims are absolutely absurd and completely false,” the spokesperson said in remarks reported by NPR. “The documents reflect Epstein’s attempts to mischaracterize his relationship with Mr. Gates and do not substantiate the allegations.”

Gates has previously acknowledged meeting Epstein but has repeatedly stated that he had no business or personal relationship with him.