National, Feb 19: Bill Gates will no longer deliver his scheduled keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, the Gates Foundation confirmed on February 19, stating that the decision was taken to ensure the spotlight remains on the summit’s core priorities.
In a statement issued through its India office, the foundation said that after careful consideration, Gates would not be speaking at the event in order to keep the focus on the summit’s key agenda. The announcement comes amid controversy surrounding the so-called Epstein files, though the foundation did not provide further details on the reasons behind the change.
The organisation said it would instead be represented by Ankur Vora, President of its Africa and India Offices, who would address the gathering later in the day. A follow-up statement reiterated that Vora would speak on behalf of the foundation at the summit.
Reaffirming its continued engagement in the country, the foundation said it remains fully committed to advancing shared health and development goals in India.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026, currently underway in the national capital, has brought together government representatives, technology leaders and global institutions to deliberate on responsible and inclusive artificial intelligence. The five-day event, being held from February 16 to 20, is organised around three themes — People, Planet and Progress.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, highlighting India’s push for multilateral collaboration and the use of artificial intelligence to address global challenges.
