Bill Gates has withdrawn from his keynote speech at the AI Impact Summit in India, just hours before he was set to address attendees. This last-minute cancellation is seen as another setback for an event already marred by organizational chaos. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation stated that Gates opted out of the speech to ensure that the summit's attention remains on its core priorities regarding artificial intelligence. His absence has raised eyebrows, particularly as the summit was set to hear addresses from other prominent figures, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Gates' withdrawal came shortly after the U.S. Department of Justice released emails revealing communications between Gates Foundation employees and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. These documents indicate that Gates met with Epstein multiple times after Epstein had served a prison sentence, aiming to discuss the expansion of Gates' philanthropic work. This connection has drawn public scrutiny and may have influenced Gates' decision to cancel his appearance, reflecting an effort to distance himself from the controversy linked to Epstein.

The summit, attended by major leaders in the tech industry and government, was intended to highlight important discussions about AI's impact on society. However, Gates' last-minute exit underscores the challenges facing the event organizers and possibly diminishes its anticipated impact. The unfolding events continue to raise questions about the credibility and focus of discussions at such high-profile summits, especially as they relate to ethical considerations in technology and philanthropy.