Last-Minute Cancellation
Bill Gates has canceled his scheduled keynote address at a major global artificial intelligence summit in New Delhi. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced the decision on Thursday, stating it was made to ensure the summit’s focus remains on its core AI priorities. The foundation confirmed the president of its Africa and India offices will speak in Gates’s place.
Epstein File Connection
The cancellation follows the recent disclosure of legal documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A draft email from Epstein, released by the U.S. Department of Justice in late January, contains unverified claims about Bill Gates. The unsent email alleges Epstein assisted “Bill” in obtaining medication related to encounters with “Russian girls.”
Gates has previously stated he regrets “every minute” spent with Epstein but has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations “absolutely absurd claims from a proven liar.” Inclusion of a name in the Epstein documents does not imply guilt, but the records have revealed connections many figures initially downplayed.
Summit Proceeds Without Tech Titan
The Global AI Summit, featuring Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other tech leaders, will proceed with discussions on the opportunities and threats posed by artificial intelligence. The Gates Foundation emphasized its continued support for the event’s mission despite the co-founder’s absence from the speaker roster.
