AI Impact Summit 2026: Bill Gates is once again in the headlines for the India AI Impact Summit. After earlier confirmations that he would attend, the Microsoft co-founder withdrew on Thursday (February 19), just hours before he was scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the high-profile event.
In a statement released on Thursday morning, the Gates Foundation said, “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 remains fully committed to our work in India to advance our shared health and development goals.”
The decision comes amid renewed scrutiny of Gates and his philanthropic foundation following revelations in January about the tech billionaire’s connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Just two days ago, the Gates Foundation had confirmed his participation in the summit via a post on X, despite conflicting media reports. While government sources told PTI on Tuesday that Gates would not attend, the foundation maintained that he was scheduled to deliver the keynote address.
“Bill Gates is attending the AI Impact Summit. He will be delivering his keynote as scheduled. India is a global leader in artificial intelligence, powered by one of the world’s largest AI talent pools, rapid adoption across sectors, and innovation at population scale. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, AI has become central to India’s vision of Viksit Bharat, driving inclusive growth and responsible innovation. India’s distinctive public-private model, bringing together government, startups, academia, and industry, is proving that AI can be built for impact, for inclusion, and for the world,” the previous statement had said.
Fresh US Department of Justice documents reveal Gates met Epstein several times after Epstein’s prison term. Gates said the meetings “were restricted to philanthropy-related discussions” and called it a mistake to meet him. The Financial Times reported emails claiming Gates tried to hide an STD from his wife Melinda after sex with “Russian girls,” which a spokesperson called “absolutely absurd and completely false.” Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in July 2019 and died by suicide in August 2019.
Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in July 2019. He died by suicide in a New York jail cell in August 2019.