Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, announced on Thursday that he would not be making his scheduled appearance at the 2026 AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, just hours before the event was set to begin. His decision came as a surprise to many who were expecting him to address global leaders and executives from major tech firms. The Gates Foundation confirmed that the decision was made to ensure that the focus of the summit remained on key priorities, rather than being overshadowed by personal controversies.

The cancellation marks a significant shift for Gates, who had previously confirmed his attendance just two days earlier. This change is believed to be influenced by recent media scrutiny regarding his connections to Jeffrey Epstein and the ongoing implications of those relationships. While the Gates Foundation provided an official statement indicating that Ankur Vora would represent the organization at the summit, many commentators and industry observers speculate that the controversy surrounding Epstein may have played a crucial role in Gates' decision to withdraw.

The timing of Gates' cancellation raises questions about the impacts of media narratives on public figures' ability to engage in important discussions. The AI summit, hosted in India's capital, aimed to address pressing issues in artificial intelligence with participation from significant stakeholders. Gates' absence could potentially shift the dynamics of the conversation at the summit, as controversies may detract from the core objectives and themes that the event seeks to promote.