The India AI Expo, currently underway at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, is receiving an overwhelming response, leading to the event being postponed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the AI Summit tomorrow, February 19th, with French President Macron also attending.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is underway at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi.
Today is the third day of the AI event, and due to the overwhelming response, its closing date has been extended. Originally scheduled to run until February 20, 2026, the decision has been made to extend the date by one day. This means that the AI Summit 2026 will now run until February 21, 2026, instead of Friday, February 20th.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the AI Summit 2026 tomorrow, February 19th, 2026. A senior government official has announced that the India AI Expo Summit 2026 will be closed on February 19th, replacing the India AI Expo, which will open for an extra day on February 21st.
Why will the India AI Expo be closed on February 19th? Here’s why
Electronics and IT Secretary S Krishnan stated that the expo will be closed on February 19th. Due to overwhelming enthusiasm, it has been extended by one day and will now run until Saturday, February 21st. S Krishnan stated that heads of 20 countries, including French President Emmanuel Macron, will be present at the opening session.
He stated, “We don’t want to cause any inconvenience to the public due to restrictions, so the decision has been made not to open the expo tomorrow.”
Due to restrictions on entry to the event and strict security measures at the venue, the expo will be closed to the public on February 19th. Entry will be restricted for conference delegates and the general public due to security protocols.
The AI event is all the rage.
Startups and major tech companies are dazzling audiences with showcases of the latest technologies at the AI Summit. Several attractions, including the dance moves of an AI robot, have captured the attention of the summit.
There is widespread confusion surrounding Bill Gates’ attendance at the global AI summit in Delhi. While government sources have expressed concerns about his absence due to the “Epstein Files” controversy, the Gates Foundation has clarified that he will attend as scheduled. Find out what has emerged so far in this matter.
Confusion persists regarding Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates’ participation in the world’s largest AI Impact Summit, which began in New Delhi on February 16th.
Gates’ name was listed as a keynote speaker on the summit’s official website. However, his name was suddenly removed from the list on Tuesday morning, sparking speculation.
PTI reported, citing government sources, that Gates will not attend the summit. Although the official reason behind this was not made clear, there is talk in the media that the recently revealed “Jeffrey Epstein Files” has created some unease.
Gates Foundation Confirms Bill Gates’ Attendance
Amidst these reports, the Gates Foundation clarified the situation in a statement to PTI. A spokesperson for the foundation said, “Bill Gates is attending the AI Impact Summit. He will deliver his keynote address on February 19th as scheduled.” According to the schedule, he has been allotted 12 minutes of time on February 19th at 11:50 am.
Amidst the controversy, the Gates Foundation confirmed Bill Gates’ arrival through an X-post on Tuesday, February 17th. It stated that he would attend the summit and deliver his keynote address as scheduled. The foundation stated that there has been no change in his participation.
Ashwini Vaishnav’s Statement on Bill Gates
When Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, who is leading the summit, was asked about Bill Gates at a press conference, he dismissed it as a “personal choice” instead of giving a direct answer. He said, “I forget who is coming and who is not. It’s a personal choice, and I don’t need to comment on it.”
He also clarified the situation regarding the absence of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Vaishnav explained that Huang was unable to attend due to “essential reasons,” but sent a very senior company official in his place.
What is the root of the controversy?
There is some hesitation in government circles due to Bill Gates’ name appearing in files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Although Gates has not been accused of any wrongdoing, records released by the US Department of Justice mention some old claims, which Gates’ spokesperson has already dismissed as completely absurd.
Gates is currently on a visit to Andhra Pradesh. Bill Gates, who has avoided controversy, arrived in India on Monday. He began his visit in Vijayawada, where he met with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. During this meeting, he praised the state government’s health and technology initiatives.
AI Summit Participation from Over 100 Countries
The AI Impact Summit is being held in New Delhi from February 16th to 20th. Representatives from over 100 countries are participating in the summit. Heads of state and over 50 ministers from 15-20 countries, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, will participate.
The “AI Impact Expo” is being held across 70,000 square meters at Bharat Mandapam, with over 300 companies participating. Visitors will be able to see how AI works in real life through live demos. After the inauguration by the Prime Minister, this expo has been opened for the general public from 17th February.
