India’s flagship AI Impact Summit faced fresh controversy after Bill Gates cancelled his keynote address hours before he was due to speak. The sudden withdrawal dealt a major blow to the high-profile event in New Delhi.
The summit was promoted as the first major artificial intelligence forum in the Global South. India aimed to position itself as a global leader in AI governance. However, mounting organisational lapses and public anger overshadowed the event.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said Gates stepped back to ensure focus remained on the summit’s priorities. Days earlier, the foundation had denied rumours of his absence.
Another setback followed when Jensen Huang also cancelled his appearance. The dual withdrawals created uncertainty around the event’s credibility.
Global Leaders Attend but Summit Faces Embarrassment
Despite the setbacks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the summit. He shared the stage with French President Emmanuel Macron and top tech leaders.
Among them were Sundar Pichai, Sam Altman, and Dario Amodei. Modi stressed the importance of child safety on AI platforms. He called for AI systems to be child- and family-guided.
An awkward moment occurred during a group photo. Executives stood side by side with raised arms. Observers noted visible tension between rival AI chiefs Altman and Amodei.
The summit was meant to showcase India’s leadership in AI innovation. Instead, several organisational problems dominated headlines. Exhibition halls were unexpectedly closed to the public. Companies that invested heavily in stalls expressed frustration.
A controversy erupted when Galgotias University displayed a robotic dog. The device was reportedly a commercially available Chinese product presented as an original creation. The incident sparked criticism on social media.
Traffic Chaos, Political Criticism, and Massive Investment Pledges
Traffic disruptions further damaged the summit’s image. Police frequently shut roads to facilitate VIP movement. This caused severe congestion in the city. Many attendees walked long distances due to road closures and lack of transport.
The government apologised for the inconvenience. Opposition leaders strongly criticised the management of the global event.
Meanwhile, Gates’ cancellation came weeks after renewed attention on his past meetings with Jeffrey Epstein. Gates has said those meetings focused only on philanthropy. He admitted it was a mistake to associate with Epstein.
Despite controversies, investment announcements continued. More than $100 billion in AI investments were pledged. Major commitments came from the Adani Group, Microsoft, and Yotta.
The government expects total AI pledges to cross $200 billion in two years. However, analysts warn rapid AI expansion could strain India’s power grid and water resources.
The AI Impact Summit was meant to mark a defining moment. Instead, cancellations, controversy, and chaos have reshaped its global perception.
