Digital
Bill Gates pulls out of India AI summit keynote
Microsoft co-founder skips New Delhi address hours before slot amid Epstein scrutiny; foundation rep steps in.
MUMBAI: Bill Gates has logged off from his starring role at the India AI Impact Summit proving even tech titans can’t always hit ‘send’ on a speech when the spotlight gets too hot. Just hours before his 12-minute keynote at 11:50 am on 19 February at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the Gates Foundation announced the Microsoft co-founder would not deliver his address. “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 foundation stated. Stepping into the breach is Ankur Vora, president of the Africa and India offices who will speak today.
The last-minute switch comes amid swirling attention on Gates’ past associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following recent document releases that have reignited scrutiny. Gates has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, calling related claims false, but the timing has raised eyebrows especially after the foundation firmly quashed no-show rumours just two days earlier on 17 February, insisting he was fully on board.
Gates did make it to India, touching down earlier this week. His first port of call was Vijayawada on Monday, where he met Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, deputy chief minister K Pawan Kalyan, and senior officials. Ministers Nara Lokesh, Vangalapudi Anitha, K Archannaidu, and Y Satya Kumar greeted him at the international airport, kicking off discussions on Gates Foundation-backed projects in health and development.
Despite the headline drama, the foundation stressed its ongoing dedication: “The Gates Foundation remains fully committed to our work in India to advance our shared health and development goals.”
The summit packed with big names and billed as a major AI showcase for the Global South carries on without its marquee opener, leaving delegates to ponder whether this glitch in the matrix was strategic caution or something more. Either way, the AI conversation rolls forward, minus one very prominent voice.
pic.twitter.com/tGJtEQS97E— Gates Foundation India (@BMGFIndia) February 19, 2026
Digital
OpenAI’s Stargate lead Peter Hoeschele exits with two senior leaders
Trio behind compute push set to join new startup amid leadership reshuffle
SAN FRANCISCO: Peter Hoeschele, a key figure behind OpenAI’s early Stargate data centre initiative, has exited the company, according to a report by The Information.
The departure is part of a broader leadership shift, with two other senior executives, Shamez Hemani and Anuj Saharan, also set to leave in the coming days. All three are expected to join the same new startup, although details about the venture remain under wraps.
The trio played a central role in OpenAI’s Stargate effort, an initiative aimed at building large-scale data centre capacity in-house to reduce reliance on external infrastructure providers. Their exits mark a notable moment for the company’s compute strategy as it continues to scale rapidly.
OpenAI spokesperson said in a statement to The Information, “We’re grateful for the contributions Peter, Shamez, and Anuj have made to OpenAI and wish them the very best in what comes next.” The company also pointed to the recent appointment of Sachin Katti to lead its industrial compute organisation, signalling continuity in its infrastructure roadmap.
OpenAI has indicated that it does not plan to directly replace Hoeschele’s role, suggesting a possible restructuring of responsibilities within the team.
As competition intensifies in the race to build next-generation AI systems, leadership changes in core infrastructure teams are likely to draw close attention. For now, the spotlight shifts to what this departing trio builds next, and how OpenAI adapts as it scales its ambitions.
