In a dramatic last-minute development at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has withdrawn from his scheduled keynote address, with the Gates Foundation confirming his absence just hours before he was due to speak at the New Delhi gathering .
The foundation announced that Ankur Vora, President of its Africa and India operations, will represent the organization instead. "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 stated on X .
Epstein document revelations cloud Gates' participation
The abrupt withdrawal comes amid renewed scrutiny over Gates' past associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Recently unsealed documents from the US Department of Justice have brought fresh attention to the Microsoft founder's connections with the late financier .
According to reports, the newly released materials include draft emails where Epstein allegedly claimed involvement in Gates' personal affairs. Gates has strongly denied these allegations, telling Australia's Nine News: "These claims are absolutely absurd and completely false... every minute I spent with him I regret and I apologize for that" .
The Gates Foundation had confirmed his attendance as recently as Tuesday, making Thursday's announcement particularly unexpected .
Summit loses second major tech leader
Gates' withdrawal follows Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang canceling his participation, though the company has not provided an official reason . The twin departures mark a setback for what organizers have billed as the Global South's first major AI forum.
Despite these high-profile absences, the India AI Impact Summit 2026 continues with robust participation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the event on Thursday at Bharat Mandapam, unveiling India's "MANAV Vision" for human-centric AI development .
India pushes democratization agenda
Speaking at the opening plenary, PM Modi emphasized AI's transformative potential while stressing the need for responsible development. "AI enhances machine intelligence and boosts human capabilities," he said, advocating for democratic access to AI technologies .
The summit has drawn over 100 countries and features leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and OpenAI's Sam Altman . India is expected to push for greater AI accessibility and open-source development, positioning itself as a voice for the Global South in global tech governance .
The six-day summit continues through February 20, with discussions focused on AI governance, infrastructure development, and inclusive growth strategies. The Gates Foundation has reiterated its commitment to India's health and development goals despite its chairman's absence .
