Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has cancelled his keynote address at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, the Gates Foundation said on Tuesday, ending days of speculation over his participation.

“After careful consideration, and to ensure the focus remains on the AI Summit's key priorities, Mr. Gates will not be delivering his keynote address. The Gates Foundation will be represented by Ankur Vora, President of Africa and India Offices, who will speak later today at the Summit. The Gates Foundation remains fully committed to our work in India to advance our shared health and development goals,” Gates Foundation India said in a post on X.

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Gates had been listed among the keynote speakers for the AI Impact Summit, scheduled at Bharat Mandapam, and was allotted a 12-minute slot at 11:50 am on February 19. His name, however, disappeared from the official participants’ list earlier in the day, triggering confusion.

Government sources had said Gates would not attend the summit but did not provide a reason. Earlier, a spokesperson for the Gates Foundation had told PTI in an emailed response that “Bill Gates is attending the AI Impact Summit. He will be delivering his keynote as scheduled”, contradicting the government’s position.

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The foundation’s latest statement confirms that Gates will not deliver the address, though it did not clarify whether he is still present in India or attending any closed-door sessions.

Gates has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein’s victims, though records released by the US justice department include an allegation by Epstein that Bill Gates caught a sexually transmitted disease. Gates’s spokesperson had previously called the claim “absolutely absurd”.