Bill Gates Skips Keynote Address at AI Summit Amid Epstein Controversy

Feb 19, 2026 - Bill Gates will not be delivering the keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. The decision to skip was announced by the Gates Foundation on Thursday (February 19) in the wake of the controversy and backlash over Bill Gates’ name appearing several times in the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Earlier on Tuesday, the name of the Microsoft founder had briefly disappeared from the list of key participants. According to sources, the government did not want any distraction from the agenda of the Summit. However, his name reappeared on the speakers’ list last night and Gates was scheduled to address the summit at Bharat Mandapam today.

But a latest statement by Gates Foundation on X said, “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.” It added, "The Gates Foundation remains fully committed to our work in India to advance our shared health and development goals,"

Now, the Foundation will be represented by Ankur Vora, president of the Africa and India offices.

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