Bill Gates' India AI Keynote Canceled Amidst Summit Woes

Bill Gates will not be delivering his keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit on Thursday, February 19, 2026. This development is a significant blow to an event already struggling with organizational deficiencies, including robot malfunctions and complaints from delegates about traffic disruptions. No specific reason was given for Gates' absence. However, the Gates Foundation issued a statement indicating that the billionaire's withdrawal is intended to keep the focus on the summit's core objectives.

The cancellation follows the U.S. Department of Justice's release of emails last month, which revealed communications between the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and staff members of the Gates Foundation. These documents suggest that Gates met with Epstein multiple times after Epstein's prison release to discuss the expansion of Gates' philanthropic initiatives. Gates has previously stated that his interactions with Epstein were solely related to philanthropy and acknowledged it was a mistake to meet with him. The Gates Foundation, co-founded by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his ex-wife in 2000, is a major global funder of health initiatives. Bill Gates currently serves as the chair and a board member of this organization.