Bill Gates Cancels India AI Summit Keynote Amid Event Challenges

Bill Gates cancels keynote at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, according to a report by Reuters India news.

The decision comes at a time when the high-profile International summit New Delhi has been facing criticism over its organisation and on-ground arrangements.

A spokesperson for the Bill Gates Foundation said Gates stepped back from the keynote to ensure that attention remained on the broader objectives of the summit rather than on any individual speaker.

No specific reason was given for the cancellation, and organisers did not indicate whether the decision was linked to the event management issues reported at the venue.

• Bill Gates cancels India AI Summit keynote due to event issues
• India AI Impact Summit 2026 faces challenges amid Gates’ absence
• Gates Foundation continues participation in AI summit discussions

The New Delhi summit has drawn global policymakers, technology executives, researchers and investors, positioning itself as a major Global technology conference India. However, the opening days of the event were marked by long queues, unclear schedules, and crowd management concerns, leading to frustration among delegates. Some attendees reported difficulty accessing sessions despite prior registrations, while others cited delays and last-minute changes to the programme, fuelling reports of AI summit India disruption.

The summit was positioned as a major international platform, with a focus on India’s growing role in technology and its engagement with developing economies through an India technology policy event. Organisers had highlighted the presence of global figures and large delegations as a sign of the event’s importance. Gates’ planned address was viewed as central to the programme, making the keynote cancellation news a notable development.

Opposition leaders and commentators criticised the event’s execution, questioning whether the gathering met its stated objectives. The government and organisers, however, defended the summit, stating that large-scale events often face logistical challenges and that discussions were continuing as scheduled.

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Despite Gates’ absence, sessions at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 are set to continue through February 20. Organisers said representatives from the foundation would still participate in discussions, underscoring continued Gates Foundation India engagement and reaffirming the summit’s broader goals.