Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates skipped delivering his keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit, as announced by the Gates Foundation on Thursday.
"The Gates Foundation will be represented by Ankur Vora, President of Africa and India Offices, who will speak later today at the Summit. After careful consideration and to ensure the focus remains on the AI Summit's key priorities, Bill Gates will not be delivering his keynote address."
The post added that it remains fully committed to its work in India to advance shared health and development goals.
While the Foundation did not give any reasons, the decision comes after organisers expressed discomfort at giving Gates the stage after his name appeared in documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Government sources on February 17 stated that an invite extended to Gates for the Summit, much before the Epstein episode revealed has been withdrawn, and he will not be participating in the five-day conference that started on February 16.
On that day, a spokesperson for the Gates Foundation quickly contradicted to say he is indeed participating.
Gates featured among the tech moguls, industry leaders, policymakers, founders, and technologists participating as speakers on the official website of the AI Impact Summit. On Tuesday morning, his name went missing from the key participants' list.
Gates was listed as a keynote speaker on February 19 - the day all the bigwigs would descend at Bharat Mandapam. He was given a 12-minute speaking slot at 1150 hours.
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