Bill Gates Withdraws from India AI Summit Amid Epstein Ties Controversy

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has withdrawn from delivering the keynote address at India’s landmark AI Impact Summit, citing "careful consideration" amid intensifying public scrutiny over his past financial and social ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Gates Foundation confirmed the decision in a brief statement, marking a significant retreat from a high-profile global engagement just days before the event was set to begin in New Delhi.

According to Yahoo News, the decision follows a wave of criticism on social media and in Indian press outlets, where activists and citizens questioned the appropriateness of inviting a figure linked to Epstein’s network to speak at a national summit focused on ethical technology development. The controversy reignited after newly surfaced documents from Epstein’s legal proceedings revealed multiple instances of Gates attending private events at Epstein’s properties between 2011 and 2013, including meetings with scientists and tech executives.

The AI summit, organized by India’s Department of Science and Technology in collaboration with leading academic institutions, was intended to position the country as a global leader in responsible AI innovation. However, the event has been marred by organizational failures, as reported by The Indian Express. Attendees reported confusion over schedules, unresponsive registration systems, and last-minute venue changes. Several panelists reportedly arrived to find their sessions canceled without notice, and media accreditation was inconsistently handled — further undermining the summit’s credibility.

While Gates’ withdrawal was framed as a personal decision, industry analysts suggest it reflects a broader trend of tech leaders distancing themselves from controversial associations in an era of heightened public accountability. "This isn’t just about Epstein," said Dr. Anjali Mehta, a digital ethics professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. "It’s about the perception of legitimacy. When a figure linked to one of the most notorious criminal networks in modern history is invited to speak at a summit on ethical AI, it sends the wrong signal — regardless of intent."

Indian officials have attempted to downplay the controversy, emphasizing that Gates’ absence would not derail the summit’s agenda. "The focus remains on India’s AI roadmap — from healthcare diagnostics to agricultural innovation," said a spokesperson from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. "We have an impressive lineup of speakers from academia, startups, and global institutions who will carry forward the dialogue."

Despite these assurances, the damage to the summit’s prestige may be lasting. International media outlets, including Reuters and Bloomberg, have begun referencing the incident as a case study in how legacy tech figures are being re-evaluated under modern ethical standards. Meanwhile, Indian civil society groups have called for greater transparency in the selection of summit participants and urged the government to establish an independent ethics review board for future tech initiatives.

As the summit continues without Gates, many attendees have turned their attention to the growing domestic AI movement — one led by Indian researchers, women-led startups, and grassroots coders who see the event as an opportunity to redefine AI’s future on their own terms. In a poignant twist, a panel on "AI for Equity," featuring female engineers from rural India, drew the largest crowd of the day — a reminder that the most impactful innovation often emerges from the margins, not the podiums of billionaires.