Bill Gates skips AI Impact Summit amid public scrutiny over Epstein ties

An Information Technology ministry official said Gates withdrew on his own, and there was no pressure from the Indian government

Published on: Feb 19, 2026, 13:12:04 IST

By Sejal Sharma

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Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on Thursday skipped the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi even as his Gates Foundation on Wednesday said he would deliver his keynote speech as planned at the event amid public scrutiny he faces over his ties with child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. (REUTERS)

“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 [Thursday] at the Summit. The Gates Foundation remains fully committed to our work in India to advance our shared health and development goals,” said a Gates Foundation statement posted on X.

An Information Technology ministry official said Gates withdrew on his own, and there was no pressure from the Indian government in light of his ties to child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A second official said the government did not initiate the decision, but there was a view that the summit’s message could not be put at risk by the possibility of protests against Gates, who was in Mumbai a day earlier.

According to US Department of Justice documents, Gates met Epstein multiple times between 2011 and 2014, years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor.

Gates has acknowledged that meeting Epstein was a mistake, expressing regret and describing the interactions as “foolish,” while denying any wrongdoing or participation in Epstein’s criminal activities.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sejal Sharma
I am a technology policy reporter with the National Political Bureau at Hindustan Times, based in New Delhi. I cover digital policy and the intersection of technology and society, focusing mainly on what's happening in India. My beat often involves tracking platform regulation, privacy, internet curbs, and the real-world impact of digital rules, among other things. Can usually be found reading government notifications so that you don't have to. I cover three key ministries: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ministry of Communications, and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B). I am originally from New Delhi and a graduate of the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. Over the past nine years, I have worked across television, digital and print media with The Secretariat, CNN-News18, Tiranga TV, Interesting Engineering, and now Hindustan Times. Although I am not on X, I can be reached at sejal.sharma@hindustantimes.com for tips, a chat or book recommendations. I respond fast, usually within a couple of hours. Outside of work, I enjoy playing badminton and driving my car. I am a firm believer that every trip — work or leisure — deserves a fridge magnet.Read More

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