Amid Epstein files protest, sources say Bill Gates will not attend AI Impact Summit
The development comes amid a backlash on social media following the release of a new trove of documents relating to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison in 2019. Gates’ name appeared in parts of documents made public by the US Justice Department.
Bill Gates will not attend the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, sources said on Tuesday, in a significant last-minute change to the event’s lineup amid renewed online backlash over the reference to his name in documents linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Gates was listed as one of the key global participants of the summit and was expected to engage in high-level talks on artificial intelligence policy and inclusive technology innovation at the two-day event to be held at the Bharat Mandapam from February 19 to 20. However, his name no longer appears on the summit’s official website under the “Global Visionaries” roster. Searching for their profile on the speakers page now returns the message: “No speakers were found matching your criteria.”
No official explanation has been issued for the schedule change.
Links to the Epstein files and denials
The development comes after the US Justice Department released a new tranche of documents related to Epstein, who died in prison in 2019. Gates’ name appears in some parts of the material made public.
In a note cited in the documents, Epstein reportedly claimed he had helped Gates obtain medications “to deal with the consequences of having sex with Russian girls.” Gates has clearly denied the allegations. In an interview with Nine News, he dismissed claims that he had contracted a sexually transmitted disease during his marriage to Melinda French Gates, labeling the claims “absolutely absurd and completely false”.
In a separate NPR podcast interview, Melinda French Gates said that her former husband’s meetings with Epstein were one of the factors that contributed to the end of their 27-year marriage. Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died in prison in 2019.
India visit and political reactions
Gates arrived in India earlier this week and was welcomed by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Minister of State Nara Lokesh. The visit focused on discussions on cooperation in health, agriculture, education and technology-driven governance.
Naidu said he recalled his long-standing association with Gates in 1997, when he had presented his vision for building a technology ecosystem in the state. The conversation was related to Andhra Pradesh’s “Golden Andhra 2047” roadmap and possible association with the Gates Foundation.
However, the welcome given to Gates was criticized by some political leaders and social media users, who cited references to his name in documents linked to Epstein and accused him of “treating India like a laboratory” for his products.
About AI Impact Summit
The India AI Impact Summit 2026, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to bring together global leaders to deliberate on artificial intelligence governance, regulation and international collaboration. Industry leaders and policy makers from more than 30 countries participated in the two-day event.
High-profile technology executives such as Alphabet Inc.’s Sundar Pichai and OpenAI’s Sam Altman are scheduled to attend.
Gates, who resigned as chairman of Microsoft in 2014, continues to lead the Gates Foundation’s global philanthropic initiatives. His absence from the summit is conspicuous given his previous status as a major attraction, and it comes against the backdrop of allegations he has categorically denied.
