Bill Gates has issued a public apology to staff at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation after newly unsealed court documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein revived scrutiny of his past contacts with the convicted sex offender, prompting renewed criticism and the cancellation of a high-profile appearance in New Delhi.A spokesperson for the foundation said Gates “took responsibility for his actions” during a town hall with employees, acknowledging that meeting Epstein had been a serious error of judgement. The statement followed the release of additional filings connected to litigation involving Epstein’s estate, which have brought back attention to prominent figures who had contact with him before his death in 2019.
Gates had previously described his meetings with Epstein as a mistake and said he regretted them. The latest disclosures, however, have intensified debate over the extent and nature of those interactions, even though no evidence has emerged suggesting any involvement by Gates in Epstein’s criminal conduct. Epstein was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor and was arrested again in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges before dying in a New York jail cell.
The renewed controversy comes at a sensitive time for the Microsoft co-founder, who remains a leading voice in global health, education and artificial intelligence policy. Organisers of the India AI Impact Summit confirmed that Gates withdrew from the event, which was scheduled to bring together technology leaders, policymakers and researchers to discuss the social and economic implications of artificial intelligence. His decision followed criticism on social media and from some advocacy groups who questioned his participation amid the resurfacing of the Epstein-related material.
Gates has for years sought to separate his philanthropic work from his past association with Epstein. He has said that he met Epstein several times beginning in 2011, after Epstein had already served his sentence in Florida, because he believed Epstein could help mobilise philanthropic funding. In earlier interviews, Gates acknowledged that maintaining contact after learning more about Epstein’s background was a mistake and said he had underestimated the reputational and ethical risks.
The foundation, one of the world’s largest private philanthropic organisations, has been central to global vaccination campaigns, infectious disease research and agricultural development initiatives. Senior figures within the organisation have emphasised that its governance structures and grant-making processes are independent of any personal relationships Gates may have had. During the internal meeting, according to the spokesperson, Gates reiterated his commitment to transparency and to the foundation’s mission.
Legal experts note that the release of court documents in high-profile cases often revives scrutiny of individuals whose names appear, even when there is no allegation of wrongdoing against them. The Epstein case has generated years of litigation involving victims seeking damages from his estate and from financial institutions accused of facilitating his activities. As documents are unsealed, public figures mentioned in correspondence or meeting logs frequently face renewed media attention.
The episode also highlights the reputational challenges confronting global business leaders whose philanthropic and policy engagements place them in the public eye. Gates, who stepped down from Microsoft’s board in 2020 and later from Berkshire Hathaway’s board, has increasingly focused on climate change, pandemic preparedness and AI governance. His interventions in debates over artificial intelligence regulation have carried weight in capitals from Washington to Brussels.
Technology policy analysts say that while the controversy may not alter Gates’s long-term influence, it complicates his efforts to shape conversations around responsible innovation. The India AI Impact Summit was intended to showcase collaborative approaches between governments and private actors in harnessing AI for development, healthcare and education. His absence shifted attention from the summit’s agenda to the broader questions about accountability and leadership in the technology sector.
Within philanthropic circles, the renewed scrutiny serves as a reminder of the importance of due diligence and ethical safeguards when engaging with donors or intermediaries. Large foundations operate under strict compliance frameworks, yet the personal decisions of high-profile founders can have lasting consequences for institutional credibility.