Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, has cancelled his planned Thursday speech at a prestigious artificial intelligence summit in India. The decision was made urgently after the billionaire's name resurfaced in documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. The Gates Foundation argues this step is necessary to avoid distracting from the substantive priorities of the event, which could be overshadowed by controversies surrounding the founder's past associations.

Speech Cancellation

Bill Gates withdrew from the AI summit in India just before its start to avoid a media storm.

Epstein Documents

The reason for the decision is the release of materials by the U.S. Department of Justice linking the billionaire to Jeffrey Epstein.

Foundation Statement

The Gates Foundation claims the billionaire wants to protect the summit's priorities from being overshadowed by personal matters.

Billionaire Bill Gates has decided to withdraw from a global artificial intelligence summit in India, causing a stir among participants and observers in the technology sector. An official statement was issued by the Gates Foundation, indicating the decision was made after deep consideration. The aim of this move is to ensure public attention remains focused on the challenges related to AI development, rather than on personal controversies concerning the Microsoft founder. Gates's name appeared in new documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice as part of the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Declassified materials suggest that Jeffrey Epstein may have attempted to blackmail Gates in 2017, using knowledge of his alleged extramarital affair. Although Bill Gates has repeatedly expressed regret over any contacts with Epstein, maintaining they were solely philanthropic in nature, new details cast a shadow on his public image. The billionaire assures that he „regrets every minute spent with him,” but the current situation has forced him to withdraw from public life at such a crucial moment as the Indian summit. The relationship between Bill Gates and Jeffrey Epstein first became a subject of public debate in 2019, which, according to media reports, directly influenced the decision for Melinda and Bill Gates to divorce in 2021 after 27 years of marriage. „After careful assessment and to ensure that attention remains focused on the key priorities of the artificial intelligence summit, Mr. Gates will not deliver the speech.” — Gates Foundation Statement This situation highlights the growing ethical pressure on technology leaders. In an era of dynamic artificial intelligence development, the personal credibility of key players is becoming an element of the debate on technology ethics. Gates's absence in India is seen as an attempt to minimize reputational damage, although for the summit organizers it represents a significant blow to prestige, given the billionaire's involvement in promoting innovations for social purposes. 2026 — year of the planned AI summit in India

Mentioned People

  • Bill Gates — Co-founder of Microsoft and philanthropist, whose name appeared in the Epstein case files.
  • Jeffrey Epstein — Deceased financier and sex offender, whose dossier continues to cause scandals among the highest echelons of power.