Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates ditches India AI Impact Summit 2026 just days after arriving in the country. The Gates Foundation confirmed the pullout amid fresh backlash from Epstein files Bill Gates mentions in unsealed US court documents. Instead, Ankur Vohra, President of the Foundation's Africa and India operations, will deliver the keynote today.
Gates landed in India on February 16 for the mega event at Bharat Mandapam, inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi. But Epstein files Bill Gates revelations—linking the billionaire to Jeffrey Epstein's network of alleged sex trafficking—prompted the last-minute switch. Epstein died in 2019; recent files detail Gates' meetings and Epstein's role in his personal matters. Gates has publicly regretted those ties.
Summit Continues with High-Profile Swaps
The Foundation insists the change keeps focus on AI's core agenda. Ankur Vohra Gates Foundation steps in, bringing deep expertise from years leading India programs in health and innovation. Meanwhile, Nvidia CEO India visit cancel adds to drama—Jensen Huang postponed without reason, though whispers tie it to Gates' presence. Google CEO Sundar Pichai and OpenAI's Sam Altman are still attending.
PM Modi kicked off India AI Impact Summit 2026 on Feb 16 under the theme 'Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay' (welfare and happiness for all). Running till Feb 20, it features the parallel India AI Impact Expo showcasing AI in agriculture, healthcare, and education. Over 110 countries, 20 heads of state, and 45 ministers are here—making it the Global South's biggest AI bash.
Three Pillars Driving Global AI Shift
The summit rests on three pillars:
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People: Human-centric AI safeguarding rights.
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Planet: Sustainable, green tech development.
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Progress: Inclusive growth for all society sections.
Why now? As AI reshapes economies, India's event spotlights ethical tech amid US-China tensions. Visitors explore real-world demos, from farmer crop predictors to diagnostic tools—actionable for India's 1.4 billion.
This row tests Gates' post-Microsoft image, but the summit marches on. India AI Impact Summit 2026 trends globally, proving New Delhi's pull in AI conversations.
