Gates Drops Out of AI Summit Keynote to Keep Focus on Event’s Core Agenda

Bill Gates will not deliver the keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit, the Gates Foundation confirmed on Thursday, saying the move was taken to ensure the event’s focus remains on its central objectives.

The decision follows concerns expressed by summit organisers after Gates’ name appeared in recently released documents linked to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein . While no allegations of wrongdoing have been made against Gates by Epstein’s victims, government sources said his participation could cause discomfort at a high-profile international forum .

Officials revealed that an invitation extended to Gates much earlier was withdrawn on February 17, after the Epstein-related disclosures surfaced. However, the Gates Foundation had initially contradicted this, stating that Gates would take part in the five-day summit that began on February 16 .

In a statement posted on X on Thursday, the foundation clarified that Gates would no longer address the gathering.

“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 foundation said.

It added that it remains fully committed to its work in India to advance health and development goals.The Gates Foundation will instead be represented by Ankur Vora, President of its Africa and India Offices , who is scheduled to speak later in the day.

Gates had earlier been listed among top speakers on the official summit website alongside global technology leaders, policymakers and innovators. His name was removed from the key participants’ list on Tuesday morning . He was originally scheduled to speak on February 19 with a 12-minute keynote slot at Bharat Mandapam .

Despite stepping away from the summit, Gates remains on an official visit to India . He arrived on Monday and visited Vijayawada, where he met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu , Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan , and senior state officials.