Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has withdrawn from delivering the keynote address at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, a decision that has intensified debate over his participation amid scrutiny linked to the release of files connected to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Organisers confirmed that Gates will not take the stage on Thursday, with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s regional president, Ankur Vora, set to represent the organisation at the event instead. Gates’s absence came after days of conflicting public accounts over whether he would participate in the flagship summit on artificial intelligence, which brings together global policymakers, technology leaders and industry figures to discuss the rapid evolution and ethical challenges of AI. Initial government statements suggested that Gates had been expected to attend, but his name was removed from the summit’s list of keynote speakers, prompting speculation about a withdrawal.
The Gates Foundation said the shift was intended to “ensure the focus remains on the summit’s key priorities”, emphasising that the foundation remains committed to its development and technology work in the region. Vora, who leads the foundation’s Africa and India operations, is scheduled to speak on its behalf, underscoring ongoing philanthropic engagements in health and innovation.
Political reactions were swift in New Delhi, where opposition figures criticised the government for what they described as ambiguity around the invitation. Some lawmakers called for clearer communication about Gates’s status at the summit, questioning whether the decision reflected discomfort with the broader controversy over his connections to Epstein, a convicted sex offender whose name has surfaced in a tranche of files released by the US justice department.
Government representatives declined to provide specific reasons for the keynote cancellation beyond reaffirming the importance of summit discussions on AI governance, innovation and technology policy. Officials have sought to keep attention on other high-profile voices at the summit, including ministers and executives shaping AI deployment strategies across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture and digital infrastructure.
The debate over Gates’s involvement was compounded by earlier mixed signals: on one day, a spokesperson for the Gates Foundation reiterated plans for his keynote, only for his name then to be omitted from official participant listings. The fluctuation sparked commentary from technology commentators and participants about transparency in summit organisation and the handling of reputational challenges faced by invited guests.
Critics of Gates’s potential appearance drew on publicly disclosed material in the Epstein-related files that referenced interactions between Epstein and the Microsoft co-founder. Those files, assembled by US authorities, have rekindled examination of the nature of their association, despite Gates’s longstanding assertion that he regrets having spent time with Epstein and that any implication of misconduct is unfounded. His spokesperson described some of the allegations circulating online as “false” and rooted in documents that may not reflect verified exchanges.
The summit, hosted at Bharat Mandapam, has maintained a packed agenda with sessions on AI safety, regulation and international collaboration on emerging technologies. Industry figures from major global tech firms, as well as several government ministers, continue to engage in discussions emphasising AI’s potential to transform economies while underscoring the risks posed by unchecked development.
Aside from Gates, another notable change at the summit was the absence of Nvidia’s chief executive, who opted not to travel to India for the event. While Nvidia did not specify reasons for the decision, some observers linked the move to wider sensitivities around the spotlight on high-profile attendees.
Analysts say the episode reflects broader tensions as global leaders and technology pioneers navigate the intersection of innovation, ethics and public perception. The AI Impact Summit has been positioned by organisers as a platform for shaping international cooperation on artificial intelligence, with dialogues intended to balance commercial opportunity and societal implications.