Bill Gates cancelled his keynote speech at a major artificial intelligence summit in India, creating unexpected attention around the event. The decision was announced only hours before he was scheduled to speak, leaving attendees and observers surprised by the sudden change.
The development came as renewed public discussion emerged about Gates’ past meetings with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Newly released documents and draft emails added fresh scrutiny, placing Bill Gates at the center of headlines while the summit itself continued with its planned sessions.
AI Impact Summit in New Delhi sees last-minute change
Bill Gates had been due to deliver a keynote at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, an event described as one of the largest AI gatherings in the Global South. The summit brought together policymakers, technology experts, nonprofit leaders, and innovators to explore how artificial intelligence can address real-world challenges.
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit, setting the tone for discussions on digital transformation and development. Bill Gates was expected to highlight how AI could support healthcare, agriculture, and education initiatives, areas closely linked to his philanthropic work.
Just two days before the event, Gates Foundation India confirmed that Bill Gates would attend and speak as scheduled. However, the foundation later released a short statement saying that after careful consideration he would not deliver the keynote, so the focus could remain on the summit’s priorities.
Instead, the foundation said it would be represented by Ankur Vora, president of the Africa and India offices. The announcement shifted attention from the anticipated speech to the circumstances behind the withdrawal.
Fresh scrutiny linked to Jeffrey Epstein documents
The timing of the cancellation coincided with renewed coverage of Bill Gates’ past interactions with Jeffrey Epstein. Recently released files included draft emails that Epstein appeared to have written to himself. In those drafts, he made claims about facilitating personal encounters and helping obtain medication to hide a sexually transmitted infection.
It remains unclear who created the drafts or whether the claims are accurate because the messages were never sent. Still, the material drew widespread attention due to Epstein’s criminal history and his connections with influential figures.
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Authorities released the documents as part of a broader set of files related to Epstein’s network. The material includes numerous communications between Epstein and Bill Gates that show discussions about meetings and philanthropic work. These documented contacts took place after Epstein’s 2008 conviction on prostitution-related charges, which has fueled criticism of the decision to meet.
Gates has denied the allegations and described the claims as false. His representatives said the documents mainly reflect Epstein’s attempts to maintain a relationship that did not continue.
Meetings in India and public statements
Before the summit, Bill Gates had been active in India, holding meetings with leaders and partners. He met N. Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, and shared details of the meeting on his social media account, thanking the leader for the warm welcome.
As questions about the newly released documents grew, Bill Gates addressed the issue in an interview with Nine News in Australia. He said the draft email was never sent and described the claims as untrue. He added that he regrets the time spent with Epstein and acknowledged that those meetings were a mistake.
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According to his statements, his interactions were limited to dinners and conversations about philanthropy. He said he never visited Epstein’s island, did not attend parties connected to him, and had no involvement in illegal activities.
The AI Impact Summit continued with its scheduled sessions, focusing on innovation, policy, and practical uses of artificial intelligence. While the discussions remained centered on technology and development, the unexpected decision involving Bill Gates became one of the most talked-about developments surrounding the event.
