Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates did not deliver the keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, with the Gates Foundation confirming his withdrawal amid renewed attention over his name appearing in documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
The announcement came on the morning of the summit, with the foundation stating that Gates would step aside to ensure the event’s primary focus remained on artificial intelligence discussions.
“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 said in a statement posted on X.
The organisation added that it remains fully committed to its health and development initiatives in India. In Gates’ absence, Ankur Vora, president of the Gates Foundation’s Africa and India offices, is representing the organisation at the summit and is scheduled to speak later during the event. Gates’ name was removed from the list of key participants on Tuesday morning before reappearing on the agenda later that night.
Sources also indicated that authorities wanted discussions at the summit to remain centred on AI and not be overshadowed by unrelated controversies. The India AI Impact Summit, which began on Monday, is the fourth edition of the international gathering dedicated to artificial intelligence.
Previous editions were hosted in the United Kingdom in 2023, South Korea in 2024 and France in 2025. This year’s event is the largest so far, bringing together leaders from over 20 countries and more than 500 global AI stakeholders, including around 100 CEOs and founders.
Gates’ decision comes after his name appeared in a tranche of documents released last month by the US Justice Department as part of materials related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died by suicide in a US prison in 2019. Among the documents was a draft email in which Epstein alleged that he had helped Gates secure drugs and facilitated meetings with women, including married women.
Gates has strongly denied the claims and expressed regret over his association with Epstein. “Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologise,” Gates told a news channel earlier this month. He said the email referenced in the documents was never sent and described it as false.
“That email was never sent. The email is false,” he said, questioning Epstein’s motives and suggesting he may have been attempting to damage his reputation. Gates acknowledged meeting Epstein in 2011 and having several dinners with him over a period of about three years. However, he said he never visited Epstein’s Caribbean island and denied having relationships with women linked to Epstein. According to Gates, the meetings revolved around Epstein’s claims that he could help mobilise wealthy donors to support global health initiatives — an effort he later described as a “dead end.”
A spokesperson for Gates also said the documents show Epstein’s frustration at not having an ongoing relationship with him and accused Epstein of attempting to “entrap and defame.” The spokesperson emphasised that the mere appearance of a person’s name in the Epstein files does not imply wrongdoing.
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