New Delhi, February 19 Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates will not deliver the keynote address he was previously scheduled to give at the India AI Impact Summit, his foundation said on Thursday.
While the foundation did not provide any reasons, the decision comes after organizers expressed discomfort at giving Gates a speaking slot after his name appeared in documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Government sources stated on February 17 that an invitation extended to Gates for the Summit, much before the Epstein episode, had been withdrawn, and he would not be participating in the five-day conference that began on February 16.
On that day, a spokesperson for the Gates Foundation quickly contradicted this, saying he was indeed participating.
On Thursday, the Gates Foundation said that Gates would not speak at the summit to avoid shifting the focus of the event.
"The Gates Foundation will be represented by Ankur Vora, President of the Africa and India Offices, who will speak later today at the Summit," the Gates Foundation said in a post on X. "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 further stated that it remains fully committed to its work in India to advance shared health and development goals.
Gates was listed among the tech moguls, industry leaders, policymakers, founders, and technologists participating as speakers on the official website of the AI Impact Summit.
On Tuesday morning, his name was removed from the list of key participants. He was listed as a keynote speaker for February 19 – the day when all the major figures would descend upon Bharat Mandapam. He had been given a 12-minute speaking slot at 11:50 AM.
Government sources had previously stated that Gates would not attend the Summit as his name appeared in the files relating to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and this may cause some discomfort.
The list of key participants was decided months in advance, while the Epstein file revelations have only recently emerged.
While Gates has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein's victims, records released by the US justice department include an allegation by Epstein that Bill Gates contracted a sexually transmitted disease.
Gates's spokesperson had previously called the claim "absolutely absurd".
Gates arrived in India on Monday. His first stop during the visit was Vijayawada, where he met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan, and senior state government officials.
Ministers Nara Lokesh, Vangalapudi Anitha, K Archannaidu, and Y Satya Kumar welcomed Gates at the Vijayawada international airport on Monday.
