Microsoft Co-Founder’s Name Removed From Summit Website
New Delhi, February 17: Microsoft Co-Founder Bill Gates will not be attending the AI Impact Summit 2026, government sources confirmed on Tuesday.Gates had earlier been listed among the prominent speakers on the official website of the AI Impact Summit, which is being held in the national capital from February 16 to 20. The event features leading technology executives, industry heads, policymakers, founders, and technologists.
However, by Tuesday, his name no longer appeared on the summit’s website. Government sources stated that Gates will not be participating in the event.
Decision Linked to New Jeffrey Epstein Files
According to government sources, the development is linked to Gates being named in newly released files related to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.While Gates has not been accused of any wrongdoing by Epstein’s victims, records released by the US Justice Department reportedly include an allegation by Epstein that Gates had contracted a sexually transmitted disease.
Responding to the claim, a spokesperson for Gates described the allegation as “absolutely absurd.”
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Also Withdraws
Separately, Jensen Huang, Chief Executive Officer of Nvidia, will also not travel to India for the summit.Huang had been one of the most anticipated speakers at the AI Impact Summit. The company did not provide a reason for his withdrawal. However, some observers had linked the move to Gates’ expected presence at the event.
Gates Continues India Visit
Despite his absence from the summit, Gates arrived in India on Monday. His first engagement was in Vijayawada, where he met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan, and senior state government officials.State ministers Nara Lokesh, Vangalapudi Anitha, K Archannaidu, and Y Satya Kumar welcomed Gates at the Vijayawada International Airport.
The AI Impact Summit 2026 continues in New Delhi, though two of its high-profile international speakers will now be absent from the lineup.
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