Bill Gates Abruptly Cancels AI Summit Keynote Amid Epstein Controversy
In a surprising turn of events, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates did not deliver his scheduled keynote address at the AI Impact Summit 2026 on Thursday, with the Gates Foundation announcing the decision just hours before the event. This reversal came after the Foundation had confirmed a day earlier that the keynote would proceed as planned.
Last-Minute Announcement and Official Statement
On Thursday morning, the Gates Foundation posted on X that Gates would skip the speech. In a brief statement, the Foundation explained that the decision was made "after careful consideration" to ensure attention remains focused on the summit's key priorities. Gates was originally slated to give a short but high-profile address discussing both opportunities and risks associated with artificial intelligence.
Context of the Withdrawal: Epstein Association Resurfaces
The withdrawal occurs amid renewed public discussion regarding Gates' past association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This follows the release of emails bearing Gates' name in late January, which has sparked controversy and media scrutiny. In recent weeks, some opposition parties and media commentators in India had raised questions about the appropriateness of Gates' presence at the summit, given these developments.
Foundation's Preparations and Replacement Speaker
Despite the ongoing debate, preparations for the summit appeared unchanged earlier this week. On Tuesday, the Gates Foundation's India office had publicly posted that Gates would attend and deliver his keynote as scheduled. Following his withdrawal, the Foundation announced that Ankur Vora, president of its Africa and India offices, would deliver the keynote in Gates' place.
Commitment to India's Health and Development Goals
The Gates Foundation emphasized its continued dedication to its work in India, stating that it remains fully committed to advancing shared health and development goals in the region. This assurance comes as the organization navigates the fallout from Gates' absence at the high-profile AI event.
The unexpected cancellation highlights the ongoing impact of the Epstein controversy on Gates' public engagements and underscores the delicate balance between personal history and professional commitments in the tech and philanthropic spheres.
