Bill Gates Withdraws from India AI Summit Amid Epstein Controversy

Feb 19, 2026

54 min

Feb 19, 2026 12:31

Bill Gates cancels India summit speech amid Epstein controversy

## Gates Cancels Keynote Speech

Bill Gates has decided not to deliver his keynote address at a significant AI summit in India. The decision was made to keep the focus on the summit's main objectives, according to the Gates Foundation. The foundation emphasized its ongoing commitment to health and development initiatives in India.

## Epstein Controversy

This decision follows Gates being mentioned in documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Gates expressed regret over his past interactions with Epstein, stating he regrets "every minute" spent with him. The documents included emails suggesting Epstein attempted to defame Gates by alleging extramarital affairs and other misconduct.

## Foundation's Response

In place of Gates, the president of the Gates Foundation's Africa and India offices will speak at the summit. Gates's spokesperson denied the allegations, asserting that Epstein's claims were false and aimed at damaging Gates's reputation.

## Personal Impact

The release of these documents has also affected Gates's former wife, Melinda French Gates, who described the situation as bringing back painful memories from their marriage, which ended in 2021.

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