The Gates Foundation said the president of its Africa and India offices would speak instead
New Delhi: Microsoft co founder Bill Gates withdrew from the AI Impact Summit on Thursday, hours before his scheduled keynote address, amid controversy linked to documents relating to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Gates Foundation said the decision was taken after organisers expressed discomfort over his participation following references to his name in documents connected to Epstein. The foundation did not cite any other reason.
“After careful consideration, and to ensure the focus remains on the AI Summit's key priorities, Gates will not be delivering his keynote address. It remains fully committed to its work in India to advance shared health and development goals,” the foundation said in a post on X.
It added that Ankur Vora, president of Africa and India Offices, would represent the foundation at the summit. “The Gates Foundation will be represented by Ankur Vora, president of Africa and India Offices, who will speak later today at the Summit,” it said.
Earlier, on February 17, government sources had indicated that an invitation extended to Gates prior to the Epstein disclosures had been withdrawn and that he would not participate in the five-day conference that began on February 16. A spokesperson for the Gates Foundation had subsequently stated that he would participate.
Gates was listed among the speakers on the official website of the AI Impact Summit alongside industry leaders and policymakers. Other participants at the summit included Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Meta’s Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang, Sarvam co-founder Pratyush Kumar and Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis.
While Gates has not been accused of wrongdoing by Epstein’s victims, documents released by the US Justice Department include an allegation by Epstein that Gates contracted a sexually transmitted disease. A spokesperson for Gates had earlier described the claim as “absolutely absurd”.
Gates arrived in India on Monday and visited Vijayawada, where he met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan and senior officials. He was received at Vijayawada International Airport by State ministers.
