Epstein row keeps Gates off India AI Summit stage
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New Delhi: Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates skipped his scheduled keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit on Thursday amid discomfort among organisers after his name appeared in documents linked to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
While the Gates Foundation did not specify reasons, government sources said an invitation extended much earlier was withdrawn following the Epstein file revelations. A foundation spokesperson said Gates chose not to speak to avoid shifting focus from the Summit’s priorities.
“The Gates Foundation will be represented by Ankur Vora, President of Africa and India Offices, who will speak later today,” the Foundation said.Gates was listed as a keynote speaker on the official website until Tuesday morning and was scheduled for a 12-minute slot on February 19 at Bharat Mandapam, before his name was removed from the key participants’ list.
