Pakistan, Feb. 20 -- Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates withdrew from India's AI Impact Summit on Thursday, just hours before his scheduled keynote, amid renewed scrutiny over his past association with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Gates' abrupt cancellation came following the release of U.S. Justice Department emails revealing communications between Epstein and Gates Foundation staff.

The Gates Foundation stated that the withdrawal was "to ensure the focus remains on the AI Summit's key priorities." Chief Strategy Officer Ankur Vora spoke in Gates' place. The billionaire has previously said his interactions with Epstein were limited to philanthropy and regretted meeting him.

Despite the disruption, the six...