Bill Gates has cancelled his keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, stepping back hours before he was scheduled to appear at the high-profile event.
The announcement came from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which said the decision followed careful consideration to ensure the summit’s core priorities remained in focus. The foundation did not provide further details.
Gates’s withdrawal comes weeks after his name surfaced in newly released documents from the US Department of Justice linked to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. His spokesperson has dismissed the claims referenced in the files as “absolutely absurd and completely false.” Gates has previously acknowledged he regretted meeting Epstein.
Gates has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein’s victims. His inclusion in the documents does not indicate criminal activity.
The foundation confirmed that Ankur Vora, president of its Africa and India offices, would address the summit in his place. It also reaffirmed its long-term commitment to health and development partnerships across India.
Gates remains in the country. Earlier this week, he visited Andhra Pradesh, where he held discussions on public health, agriculture, education and technology initiatives.
The five-day India AI Impact Summit has drawn delegates from more than 100 countries. The agenda includes AI governance, infrastructure expansion, startup innovation and cross-border policy cooperation.
Sam Altman urged governments to regulate artificial intelligence urgently. “Democratisation of AI is the best way to ensure humanity flourishes,” he said, warning against concentrating control in a single company or country.
Narendra Modi stressed that AI must serve inclusion and empowerment, particularly for the Global South. Emmanuel Macron echoed the call for collaborative innovation, while Antonio Guterres cautioned against allowing AI’s future to be shaped by only a few nations or wealthy individuals.
Sundar Pichai highlighted India’s growing AI footprint, announcing plans for an AI hub in Visakhapatnam. Business leader Mukesh Ambani pledged $110 billion over seven years to strengthen India’s AI ecosystem, while Dario Amodeiexpressed interest in partnering with India on AI safety testing.
Despite Gates’s absence, the summit continues with strong international participation and significant investment commitments shaping India’s AI future.
