Tech billionaire Bill Gates will no longer deliver the keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The decision was announced by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation just a day after his participation was officially confirmed.
The announcement stated that Gates would skip the event “after careful consideration.”
“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 Gates Foundation will be represented by Ankur Vora, President of Africa and India Offices, who will speak later today at the Summit. The Gates Foundation remains fully committed to our work in India to advance our shared health and development goals,” The Gates Foundation stated.
Gates was originally scheduled to speak at the summit held at Bharat Mandapam. However, in a statement released on Thursday, the foundation clarified the change in plans.
Interestingly, this reversal comes only a day after the foundation dismissed speculation surrounding his attendance, asserting that the Microsoft co-founder “will be delivering his keynote as scheduled.”
The development comes at a time when Gates is facing renewed scrutiny over alleged links referenced in documents connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison in 2019. His name reportedly appears multiple times in documents related to Epstein, triggering online backlash and criticism.
Gates has strongly denied the allegations, previously describing the claims linked to the Epstein files as “absolutely absurd and completely false.”
Earlier this week, Gates received a formal welcome in Andhra Pradesh. The state government extended a red carpet reception at Gannavaram Airport, with Nara Lokesh and other cabinet members present.
“Welcome to Amaravati, Mr Bill Gates. It was a pleasure to receive the Chair of the Gates Foundation at Gannavaram Airport today,” Lokesh said in a post on X.
Despite the official reception, Gates’s India visit also drew criticism on social media, where several users targeted him over the Epstein controversy. Some critics accused him of treating “India as a testing lab for his products and Indians like lab rats.”
Meanwhile, the India AI Impact Summit 2026 has entered its fourth day. Several prominent global leaders are scheduled to address the gathering. Among them are Narendra Modi, Emmanuel Macron, and Antonio Guterres. Later sessions will also feature addresses from leading figures in technology and business including Sam Altman and Mukesh Ambani.
Answer. The Gates Foundation said Gates withdrew “after careful consideration” to keep the summit’s focus on AI priorities.
Answer. Ankur Vora, President of Africa and India Offices at the Gates Foundation, delivered the address in place of Gates.
Answer. His withdrawal coincided with renewed scrutiny over alleged links in the Epstein files, which Gates has strongly denied as “absolutely absurd and completely false.”
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