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Bill Gates pulls out of India's AI summit over Epstein files controversy

Bill Gates pulls out of India's AI summit over Epstein files controversy

The Gates Foundation said the decision was made to "ensure the focus remains on the summit's key priorities".

February 19, 2026 at 08:13 AM Original source
12 agencies covered this story

Coverage by Political Leaning

See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story

Left
1 articles
Lean Left
2 articles
Center
7 articles
Lean Right
0 articles
No coverage
Right
2 articles

Notable Quotes

"The world should 'urgently' look to regulate AI."

— Sam Altman , Executive

"AI must become a medium for inclusion and empowerment, particularly for the Global South."

— Narendra Modi , Politician

"We need to change the discussion around AI from 'let's do more' to 'let's do better together'."

— Emmanuel Macron , Politician

"The future of AI should not be decided by a handful of countries."

— Antonio Guterres , Activist

"His firm was working on establishing an AI hub in the southern city of Vishakhapatnam."

— Sundar Pichai , Executive

"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."

— Bill Gates , Executive

"Every minute I spent with him, I regret."

— Bill Gates , Executive

"Whatever questions remain there of what – I can’t even begin to know all of it – those questions are for those people and for even my ex-husband."

— Melinda French Gates , Executive

"foolish to have spent time with Jeffrey Epstein."

— Bill Gates , Executive

"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."

— Bill Gates , Executive

"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."

— Bill Gates , Executive

"to ensure the focus remains on the AI summit’s key priorities."

— Bill Gates , Executive

"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."

— Bill Gates , Executive

"I was foolish to spend time with him. I'm one of many people who regret ever knowing him."

— Bill Gates , Executive

"Those questions are for those people and for even my ex-husband. They need the answer to those things, not me."

— Melinda French Gates , Executive

"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."

— Bill Gates , Executive

Key People

A
Ankur VoraExecutive

President of Africa and India offices for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

A
Antonio GuterresActivist

Antonio Guterres is the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

B
Bill GatesExecutive

Bill Gates is the co-founder of Microsoft and philanthropist through the Gates Foundation.

D
David LammyPoliticianLeft

David Lammy is a Deputy Prime Minister and a Labour MP advocating for UK tech investment.

D
Demis HassabisExecutive

CEO of Google DeepMind.

E
Emmanuel MacronPoliticianCenter

Emmanuel Macron is the President of France.

G
George OsbornePoliticianLean Right

Former UK Chancellor.

J
Jeffrey EpsteinCelebrity

Jeffrey Epstein was an American financier and convicted sex offender.

J
Jensen HuangExecutive

Jensen Huang is the CEO of Nvidia, a leading company in AI and semiconductor technology.

K
Kanishka NarayanPolitician

AI Minister of the UK.

K
K. Pawan KalyanPoliticianLean Right

Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, India.

L
Luiz Inacio Lula da SilvaPoliticianLeft

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is the President of Brazil, recognized for his social policies and focus on poverty alleviation.

M
Melinda French GatesExecutive

Philanthropist and co-chair of the Gates Foundation.

M
Mukesh AmbaniExecutive

Mukesh Ambani is the chairman and largest shareholder of Reliance Industries.

N
Narendra ModiPoliticianLean Right

Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India.

N
N Chandrababu NaiduPoliticianLean Right

N Chandrababu Naidu is the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

N
N. Chandrababu NaiduPoliticianLean Right

Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, India.

S
Sam AltmanExecutive

Chief executive officer of OpenAI.

S
Sriram KrishnanExecutive

Sriram Krishnan is a White House artificial intelligence policy adviser involved in the Trump administration's efforts to regulate AI technologies.

S
Sundar PichaiExecutive

Sundar Pichai is the CEO of Alphabet Inc. and Google.

V
Vishal DhuparExecutive

Managing director of Nvidia in South Asia.

All Coverage

BBC Newsvia rss 5 quotes 5 persons

The Gates Foundation said the decision was made to "ensure the focus remains on the summit's key priorities".

100%
The Guardianvia ai 3 quotes 2 persons

Bill Gates withdrew from delivering a keynote address at India's AI Impact Summit, citing the need to maintain focus on the summit's key priorities amid scrutiny over his past association with Jeffrey Epstein.

80%
Forbesvia ai

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates canceled his keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit, following increased scrutiny over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, with the Gates Foundation citing the need to focus on the summit's key priorities.

80%
Fox Newsvia ai 2 quotes 1 person

Bill Gates withdrew from delivering his keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit, citing the need to ensure the focus remains on the summit's key priorities amid scrutiny over his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

80%
RT Indiavia ai

Bill Gates canceled his keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit, citing the need to maintain focus on the summit's key priorities amid controversy over his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

80%
Fortunevia ai 1 quote 1 person

Bill Gates canceled his keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit, citing the need to ensure the focus remains on the summit's key priorities amid scrutiny over his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

80%
Al Jazeeravia ai 1 quote 1 person

Bill Gates withdrew from delivering his keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit, citing the need to ensure the focus remains on the summit's key priorities amid scrutiny over his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

80%
The Independentvia ai

Bill Gates canceled his keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit, citing the need to ensure the focus remains on the summit's key priorities amid scrutiny over his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

80%
Yahoo! Newsvia ai 2 quotes 2 persons

Bill Gates withdrew from delivering his keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit, citing the need to ensure the focus remains on the summit's key priorities amid scrutiny over his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

80%
Outlook Indiavia ai 1 quote 1 person

Bill Gates withdrew from delivering his keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit, citing the need to ensure the focus remains on the summit's key priorities amid scrutiny over his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

80%
Business Standardvia ai

Bill Gates canceled his keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit, citing the need to ensure the focus remains on the summit's key priorities amid scrutiny over his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

80%
India Todayvia ai 1 quote 1 person

Bill Gates withdrew from delivering his keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit, citing the need to ensure the focus remains on the summit's key priorities amid scrutiny over his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

80%