Learn Why Bill Gates Withdrew From the 2026 India AI Impact Summit Keynote

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Billionaire Bill Gates has abruptly canceled his keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 following a fresh wave of public scrutiny over his past links to Jeffrey Epstein. The Microsoft co-founder was scheduled to speak at the high-profile event today at Bharat Mandapam. However, his foundation confirmed he will no longer participate to avoid ‘distracting’ people from the summit’s goals.


This sudden withdrawal comes as a major blow to the five-day event, which aims to position India as a global leader in ethical artificial intelligence and digital governance.

A Sudden Exit from the Spotlight

Bill Gates decided to step down just hours before his 12-minute speech. He arrived in India earlier this week for meetings in Andhra Pradesh. However, the Billionaire changed his decision to visit the summit when new details from the ‘Epstein files’ appeared in the news. The Gates Foundation initially said that he would still attend the Summit, but later changed their decision as more people began to argue online.

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According to a statement from the Gates Foundation, the move was made “after careful consideration, and to ensure the focus remains on the AI Summit's key priorities.” Reported by The Guardian, this choice helps protect other famous guests like French President Emmanuel Macron from the bad news. Ankur Vora will now lead the foundation's team at the event instead of Bill Gates.

Will the Epstein File Controversy Impact Local Tech Partnerships?

Local businesses now wonder if this news will hurt big AI projects in India. Many groups in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have already signed deals for AI in health and farming. If the Gates Foundation faces legal issues, these projects might lose their funding. The Indian government may also have a stern eye on these deals.

"India's AI Summit... has taken a dramatic turn after Bill Gates was excluded," noted a report from DNA India. This report says government sources are checking guest lists to show they support survivors. 

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For small tech companies, it might be harder to reach the $100 billion investment goal. The absence of Bill Gates amidst the scandal has no impact on the summit. The event is moving forward with other leaders like Sam Altman and Sundar Pichai.