Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates abruptly canceled his keynote address at India’s flagship AI Impact Summit on Thursday, a sudden move that comes as the billionaire faces renewed scrutiny over past associations.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation confirmed the withdrawal just hours before Gates was scheduled to take the stage at the Bharat Mandapam convention center. In a statement, the foundation noted the decision followed “careful consideration” to ensure the event’s focus remained on its core priorities. Ankur Vora, the foundation’s president of Africa and India offices, stepped in to represent the organization at the summit.
The exit follows a week of shifting signals. Only 48 hours earlier, the foundation had dismissed rumors of a cancellation, insisting the 70-year-old philanthropist would appear as planned. The reversal marks a significant blow to an event India has positioned as a landmark for artificial intelligence in the Global South.
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While the foundation did not cite a specific reason for the change, the timing coincides with the release of a new tranche of documents by the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The files reportedly include mentions of Gates, though the billionaire has long maintained that his limited interactions with Epstein were a “huge mistake” solely intended for philanthropic discussions.
The summit, intended to showcase India’s technological leadership, has struggled with a series of logistical setbacks and high-profile absences. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang also pulled out of the event earlier this week. Attendees have voiced frustration over extensive traffic delays in New Delhi caused by VIP security and the sudden closure of exhibition halls to the public.
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Despite the empty seat on the keynote stage, the summit proceeded with a heavy-hitting roster. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the gathering alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and global tech leaders, including OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Google’s Sundar Pichai.
Modi used his address to advocate for a “child- and family-guided” AI space, emphasizing the need for safety standards. His remarks underscored the government’s ambition to lead AI governance, even as the event’s prestige was tested by the withdrawal of its biggest Western advocate.
For Gates, who was seen earlier this week in Andhra Pradesh receiving a warm reception from local officials, the cancellation highlights the persistent shadow of past controversies. For the summit organizers, the focus now shifts back to a multibillion-dollar pipeline of investment pledges that remain the event’s most tangible success.