A controversy erupted on Tuesday over the attendance of Microsoft founderBill Gatesat theAI Summitin India. Sources claimed that his name was dropped amid allegations surrounding his alleged links to the Epstein files. However, soon after the reports started circulating in the media, a clarification came from the Gates Foundation spokesperson that the tech magnate is attending the India AI Impact Summit and will be delivering his keynote as scheduled on February 19. Whether Gates will attend the five-day summit being held in New Delhi's Bharat Mandapam is not clear, but as per the sources, there has been confusion over his name on the guest list.
Opposition parties have been attacking the government over the presence of Bill Gates at the AI summit. Soon after the reports on Bill Gates’ “missing” status from the guest list started circulating, a few from the Opposition parties also gave thumbs up to the government.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on Tuesday claimed that Gates’ name was quietly removed after she flagged the matter. "Well done @GoI_MeitY," she said.
"If India has to lead the AI and tech space it will also have to lead the way in Ethical leadership. I had raised my concern with regards to the presence of Bill Gates being promoted as global visionary and platform of AI Summit given to him. I had vociferously spoken about this and am happy that @GoI_MeitY after the rap on the knuckle has ensured he isn’t part of the summit. Let the message be clear, there can be no compromise on what India is building and it has to be led with that moral conviction and dignity. Hope @maha_governor also doesn’t give him the platform he seeks," she remarked.
Congress MP Saket Gokhale also launched a sharp attack on the Centre, posting on X, "The Modi government needs to stop supporting tainted monsters, whether within the government or outside."
Bill Gates has denied allegations linked to his name after it appeared in millions of newly released documents related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. He said claims made in the files are false and that he regrets ever spending time with him. In one of the documents, Epstein alleged Gates had engaged in extramarital affairs and claimed a relationship with that ranged from "helping Bill to get drugs, in order to deal with consequences of sex with (R)ussian girls to facilitating his illicit trysts with married women".
The Microsoft co-founder said the documents include a draft email found in Epstein’s account that was never sent and contains "false allegations".
Gates said he met Epstein in 2011 and had several dinners with him over a period of about three years, but denied any criminal behaviour. He said he never visited Epstein’s private island and was never involved in any sexual activities linked to the case.
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