Bill Gates Cancels India AI Summit Keynote Amid Epstein Scrutiny
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates abruptly canceled a keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit in Recent Delhi on Thursday, February 15, 2026, just hours before he was scheduled to speak. The move follows renewed scrutiny surrounding his relationship with the late Jeffrey Epstein.
Gates Foundation Cites Summit Priorities
The Gates Foundation stated that Gates did not deliver the keynote “to ensure the focus remained on the AI Summit’s key priorities.” Ankur Vora, president of the foundation’s Africa and India offices, represented the organization instead. The foundation reaffirmed its commitment to its work in India, focusing on health and development goals [Fortune].
Epstein Files Spark Renewed Attention
Gates’s withdrawal comes after the release of U.S. Department of Justice documents containing emails related to his association with Epstein. These emails suggest multiple meetings between Gates and Epstein after Epstein’s 2009 release from prison, with discussions centering on Gates’s philanthropic endeavors [New York Post].
Internal Concerns at the Gates Foundation
The renewed attention to Gates’s connection with Epstein has reportedly caused unease within the Gates Foundation. CEO Mark Suzman expressed feeling “somewhat sullied” by the association during a February 5th town hall meeting with staff, following concerns raised about potential damage to the organization’s reputation [Fortune].
Continued Philanthropic Commitments
Despite the controversy, the Gates Foundation remains a major philanthropic force. Last year, the foundation announced plans to spend $200 billion over the next 20 years, with a projected closure in 2045. The organization established a record-breaking $9 billion annual payout this year, continuing its focus on global health and expanding programs in areas like women’s health and AI education in the U.S. [Fortune].
Other Developments
Gates has also been streamlining his personal assets, including listing a $4.8 million home in Medina, Washington, adjacent to his Xanadu 2.0 estate, valued at approximately $132 million as of 2025. He completed an $8 billion payment to his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, as part of their divorce settlement, contributing to her Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation [Fortune].
India AI Impact Summit Highlights
The India AI Impact Summit, held in New Delhi, aimed to position India as a key player in the global artificial intelligence ecosystem. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the country’s ambition to develop and deploy AI technology both domestically and internationally. The summit also featured addresses from French President Emmanuel Macron, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, who called for a $3 billion fund to support AI capacity building in developing nations [New York Times], [Fortune].
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang also pulled out of the summit, citing “unforeseen circumstances” [New York Post].