Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates will not deliver the keynote address at the ongoing India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has confirmed. According to the reports, Gates had been expected to headline Thursday’s session at the summit, which is being held at Bharat Mandapam from February 16 to 20 and brings together global leaders, technology executives, and policymakers to talk on the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence. However, the foundation officially confirmed on its official account that after careful consideration, Gates would not be giving the scheduled keynote and that the organisation would instead be represented by Ankur Vora, president of its Africa and India offices, who would speak later in the day.
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In the official account of the Gates Foundation, they said, “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 will be represented by Ankur Vora, President of Africa and India Offices, who will speak later today at the Summit. The Gates Foundation remains fully committed to our work in India to advance our shared health and development goals.” This statement overviews the foundation’s intent to keep attention on the event’s core agenda of inclusive and ethical AI, instead of individual appearances.
Moreover, the announcement follows a period of uncertainty about Gates’ attendance that began earlier in the week, when his name temporarily disappeared from the summit’s official list of key speakers, raising questions in the media and on social media. At one point, the foundation said that Gates would present the keynote as planned, but that position was later changed.
In addition, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation did not directly make the decision on the latest controversy, including Bill Gates and references to his name in files related to Jeffrey Epstein. However, Gates has previously stated in interviews that he had no involvement in any wrongdoing linked to Epstein. Despite his withdrawal from the keynote session, the India AI Impact summit is continuing as planned with other prominent leaders in technology and AI policy.