Bill Gates skips keynote address at India AI summit amid Epstein files controversy

Bill Gates ‌will not appear at the India ​AI Impact Summit on ⁠Thursday (February 18, 2026) to deliver his keynote address, dealing another blow to an event already ‌marred by organisational lapses, a robot snafu and delegate ‌complaints over VIP traffic disruptions.

No reason ‌was ⁠given. But the Gates ⁠Foundation said the billionaire will not deliver his address “to ensure the focus remains on the ​AI Summit’s ‌key priorities”.

“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. The Gates Foundation remains fully committed to our work in India to advance our shared health and development goals,” the foundation said in a statement.

The cancellation comes after the U.S. Department of Justice released emails last month that included ‌communication between late financier and convicted ​sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the foundation’s staff.

The documents ⁠indicate Gates and Epstein met repeatedly after Epstein’s prison term to discuss ‌expanding Gates’ philanthropic efforts. Gates has said the relationship was confined to philanthropy-related discussions and that it was a mistake for him to meet with Epstein.

The Gates ‌Foundation, the philanthropic organisation started by Microsoft ​co-founder Bill Gates and his then-wife in 2000, is one ⁠of the world’s biggest funders of ⁠global health initiatives. Bill Gates is chair and a board member ‌of the foundation.