Bill Gates has stepped back from delivering a keynote address at a major artificial intelligence summit in India, following renewed attention surrounding his past association with Jeffrey Epstein.
The tech billionaire had been scheduled to speak on Thursday at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leading technology executives are set to discuss the promises and risks tied to artificial intelligence. However, the Gates Foundation confirmed that he will no longer participate in the event.
According to a statement shared with Zoyols Blog, the decision was made after careful consideration to ensure the spotlight remains on the summit’s core agenda. The foundation emphasized that its work in India, particularly in health and development initiatives, remains unchanged and ongoing. In Gates’ place, the president overseeing the foundation’s Africa and India offices will represent the organization at the gathering.
The development comes amid fresh scrutiny linked to newly released documents from the US Justice Department’s investigation into Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died by suicide in prison in 2019. The documents include a wide range of emails involving prominent individuals, some of which suggest close personal ties and questionable dealings.
Among the materials is a draft email attributed to Epstein, in which he made allegations about Gates’ private life, including claims of extramarital affairs. Gates has firmly denied the assertions. Speaking in a recent interview with 9News Australia, he expressed deep regret over his past interactions with Epstein, stating that he regrets every moment spent with him. He also dismissed the draft email as false, questioning Epstein’s motive and suggesting it may have been an attempt to damage his reputation.
A spokesperson for Gates echoed that position, saying the documents reflect Epstein’s frustration over not having an ongoing relationship with the Microsoft co-founder and accused him of attempting to defame Gates.
The controversy has also drawn comments from Melinda French Gates, who divorced Gates in 2021. In remarks to US National Public Radio, she described the release of the documents as reopening painful memories from their marriage. She said any lingering questions about the matter should be addressed by those directly involved, including her former husband.
While Gates’ withdrawal from the India summit shifts the focus of his appearance, the broader conversation around artificial intelligence at the New Delhi event is expected to proceed as planned.
