Bill Gates withdraws from India AI summit, sparking confusion and disruption
February 19, 2026 • Google News World
Bill Gates Pulls Out of India’s AI Summit Amid Epstein Files Row
Bill Gates has cancelled his keynote speech at the India AI summit, citing concerns over his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The move comes amid growing scrutiny over Gates’ ties to Epstein, who was found dead in prison last year.
Gates had been scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the summit, which is being held in New Delhi. However, he has since pulled out of the event, citing his desire to “remain committed to work in India” despite the controversy surrounding his past connections with Epstein.
The decision comes as several news outlets have reported on Gates’ association with Epstein, who was a major donor to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation has denied any wrongdoing, stating that it had severed ties with Epstein before he was convicted of sex trafficking charges.
Gates’ team has released a statement saying that he will not be attending the summit due to concerns over his past association with Epstein. However, the statement also emphasized Gates’ commitment to working in India and his desire to “make a positive impact” on the country’s development.
The move is seen as a significant blow to the India AI summit, which was expected to attract prominent figures from the tech industry. The summit has been attended by several high-profile speakers, including Microsoft co-founder Satya Nadella.
Gates’ decision to pull out of the summit comes amid growing concerns over his ties to Epstein and the potential implications for his philanthropic work. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is one of the largest private donors to global health initiatives, and its reputation has been scrutinized in recent years due to allegations of wrongdoing.
The India AI summit is being held at a time when there is growing interest in artificial intelligence and its potential applications in developing countries. However, the controversy surrounding Gates’ ties to Epstein has raised questions about his ability to lead on this issue.
Source: Google News World