Bill Gates has withdrawn from delivering the keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, cancelling his appearance just hours before he was scheduled to speak.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation confirmed the decision, stating it was made after careful consideration to ensure the summit’s priorities remained the primary focus. No further explanation was provided.
The cancellation comes weeks after Gates’ name appeared in documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. A spokesperson for Gates has described references to him in the files as “absolutely absurd and completely false.” Gates has previously acknowledged that he regretted meeting Epstein but has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein’s victims. His inclusion in the documents does not indicate criminal conduct.
In place of Gates, the foundation announced that Ankur Vora, president of its Africa and India offices, would address delegates. The organization reaffirmed its continued commitment to health, development and innovation partnerships across India.
Despite withdrawing from the summit stage, Gates remains in India. Earlier in the week, he travelled to Andhra Pradesh for meetings focused on public health, agriculture, education and technology collaboration.
The five-day India AI Impact Summit has attracted representatives from more than 100 countries. Discussions have centered on artificial intelligence governance, infrastructure expansion, startup ecosystems and international policy coordination.
Sam Altman called for urgent global regulation of artificial intelligence, emphasizing that broad access is essential to ensuring its benefits are widely shared. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the need for AI systems that promote inclusion and empowerment, particularly for developing nations. French President Emmanuel Macron stressed collaborative innovation, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned against concentrating AI power in the hands of a few countries or corporations.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced plans to establish a new AI hub in Visakhapatnam, reinforcing India’s growing footprint in the sector. Industrialist Mukesh Ambani pledged $110 billion over seven years to strengthen India’s AI ecosystem, while Dario Amodei expressed interest in partnering with India on AI safety testing initiatives.
Organizers say that despite Gates’ absence, the summit continues with strong international engagement and major investment commitments shaping the future of artificial intelligence in India.