tech
February 19, 2026
Amid Epstein fallout, Bill Gates becomes point of controversy at India AI summit
Bill Gates has become a point of controversy at a major Indian AI festival this week, amid the fallout of the latest Epstein file release.
TL;DR
- Bill Gates withdrew from a planned keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit.
- His withdrawal occurred amid public backlash over his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and new details from DOJ files.
- The Gates Foundation cited a desire to keep the focus on the summit's priorities for the withdrawal.
- Speculation about his attendance began when his name was removed from some summit materials.
- India's IT minister commented that Gates' attendance was a 'personal choice'.
- Gates has denied wrongdoing regarding Epstein, stating their interactions were limited to philanthropy discussions.
- The summit featured other prominent tech leaders like Sundar Pichai and Sam Altman, and global leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron.
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