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Gates cancels Delhi AI Summit address hours before scheduled speech
Bill Gates will not deliver his keynote at the India AI Impact Summit in Delhi, the Gates Foundation announced shortly before his scheduled appearance. The decision follows renewed scrutiny over his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Foundation cites focus on summit priorities
The Gates Foundation stated the withdrawal was made "after careful consideration" to ensure attention remains on the event's core objectives. No further explanation was provided. Ankur Vora, president of the foundation's Africa and India offices, will speak in Gates's place.
The organization reaffirmed its commitment to advancing health and development goals in India, calling the work a shared priority.
Epstein ties resurface in DOJ files
Gates's absence comes days after his name appeared in newly released U.S. Department of Justice documents related to Epstein. The billionaire has previously expressed regret for spending time with Epstein but denied any wrongdoing. His spokesperson dismissed the claims in the files as "absolutely absurd and completely false."
No Epstein accusers have implicated Gates in criminal activity, and the DOJ documents do not suggest legal violations.
Summit proceeds amid high-profile withdrawals and controversies
Gates's decision marks a setback for the summit, which India has positioned as a flagship event to establish itself as a global AI leader. The five-day conference includes policy debates, start-up showcases, and closed-door discussions on AI governance and infrastructure.
Microsoft and other companies have pledged investments to expand AI access in India, though the event has faced criticism over logistical mismanagement and misleading claims, including an Indian university's presentation of a Chinese-made robot as its own innovation.
Global leaders push for AI democratization
Despite Gates's withdrawal, the summit drew high-profile speakers who emphasized collaborative regulation. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman warned that centralizing AI control in a single country or company "could lead to ruin," urging urgent safeguards.
"Democratization of AI is the best way to ensure humanity flourishes."
Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron echoed calls for inclusive AI development. Modi stressed that technology should empower the Global South, not reduce humans to "data points." Macron advocated shifting the AI dialogue from "doing more" to "doing better together."
Tech giants pledge AI investments in India
Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced plans for an AI hub in Vishakhapatnam, aiming to create jobs and bring advanced technology to India. Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani pledged $110 billion over seven years to build India's AI ecosystem, while Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei expressed interest in collaborating on safety evaluations.
The summit, attended by delegates from over 100 countries, continues through Friday with discussions on AI innovation and governance.
