Bill Gates Pulls Out of India AI Summit Keynote Amid Epstein Files Controversy

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on Thursday announced that Bill Gates will no longer deliver the keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, a day after confirming his participation.

Gates had been scheduled to speak at the summit hosted at Bharat Mandapam. However, the foundation said the decision to withdraw was taken “after careful consideration” to ensure that attention remains focused on the event’s central themes.

“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 its Africa and India Offices, will represent the organisation instead. The foundation reiterated its commitment to advancing health and development initiatives in India.

The reversal comes amid heightened public scrutiny over Gates’ name appearing in documents linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison in 2019. Gates has previously described allegations connected to those references as “completely false.”

Notably, the foundation had dismissed speculation about his absence just a day earlier, stating he would deliver his address as planned — making Thursday’s announcement a significant change in course. Earlier this week, Gates was received in Andhra Pradesh by senior leaders, including minister Nara Lokesh, as part of his India visit focused on technology and development partnerships.

The summit continues with a packed schedule. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are among the global leaders set to address the gathering. Business and technology executives, including Sam Altman and Mukesh Ambani, are also slated to speak.

Organisers indicated that despite the change in keynote plans, the broader agenda of artificial intelligence collaboration and global development remains on track.