Bill Gates pulls out of India’s AI summit at the last minute in the latest blow to an event dogged by organizational chaos

Fortune

by Beatrice Nolan

February 19, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Bill Gates withdrew from India’s AI Impact Summit at the last minute, citing the need to maintain focus on the event's priorities. This decision came amid ongoing rumors about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, following the U.S. Department of Justice's release of emails revealing communications between Gates Foundation staff and Epstein. While Gates has maintained that his interactions with Epstein were limited to charitable work discussions, his absence added to a series of high-profile withdrawals and organizational challenges at the summit. The event had already faced significant disruptions, including the cancellation of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s appearance due to illness and the sudden expulsion of Indian university Galgotias after it was found to have misrepresented a Chinese-made robot as its own creation. These issues were compounded by logistical problems such as traffic gridlock in Delhi, which left attendees stranded and caused delays in side events. The summit, billed as the first major AI forum in the Global South, has been marred by poor communication and infrastructure challenges. Roads were closed for VIP movements, leading to transportation difficulties for delegates and locals alike. Additionally, key sessions saw low attendance, with the main hall hosting only a fraction of its capacity. These issues raise concerns about India's ability to position itself as a global leader in AI innovation. The credibility of the summit, already strained by last-minute cancellations and logistical failures, could impact India's efforts to attract international tech partnerships and investments. As the event continues to grapple with these challenges, questions remain about its long-term success in advancing AI initiatives in the region.

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Originally published on Fortune on 2/19/2026