Feb 17, 2026, New Delhi: In the wake of widespread speculation about his potential no-show at the prestigious international tech conference, the Bill Gates Foundation has now confirmed that he indeed plans to attend the conference in person. He is scheduled to deliver the keynote speech at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is scheduled to be held from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The conference is meant to bring India to the center of international dialogue on artificial intelligence. The conference is attended by policymakers, innovators, scholars, and leaders from the business world.
Foundation Clears the Air on No-Show Talk
A representative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has now stated that Bill Gates intends to attend the conference in person and deliver his scheduled keynote speech. This is in response to recent speculation that Bill Gates was planning to back out of the conference. The speculation started after Gates’ name was missing from some sections of the conference speaker list on the conference website.
Context: Speculation and Online Backlash
There was earlier speculation about Gates possibly missing the summit, with earlier government and media briefings indicating this. This was based on the fact that Gates’ name was removed from the list of expected speakers. The speculation was fueled by controversy surrounding documents related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Although the documents refer to Gates, they did not implicate him in any crime. Gates himself described the relationship with Epstein as “regrettable.” The Gates Foundation also vigorously denied any suggestion of impropriety.
There was also speculation about the government of India distancing itself from Gates at the summit as a gesture of sensitivity towards abuse victims. However, this was refuted by Gates Foundation officials.
Summit Highlights and Notable Attendees
The India AI Impact Summit is one of the most ambitious gatherings in the Global South in terms of AI. Leaders in the industry from top tech companies, governments, and research organizations are expected to be in attendance. Key figures expected to be present include leaders in top AI companies and governments focusing on digital strategies and technology cooperation.
What’s Next at the Summit
Given that Gates is now confirmed for participation in the summit, attendees and industry observers are looking forward to hearing his key address, which is expected to focus on AI’s global outreach and scope for growth in terms of ethics and solving world problems. This is significant because his participation lends credence to a lineup that already includes prominent leaders in the world technology industry.
During the summit, attendees and industry leaders are expected to present updates on India’s growing AI ecosystem and domestic R&D strategies in terms of cooperation frameworks. The participation of prominent figures like Gates is a reflection of the growing geopolitical and economic stature that AI is taking in terms of growth in the world stage.
