Bill Gates will deliver Thursday's keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit, his philanthropic organisation, the Gates Foundation, said Tuesday morning, adding his name was never dropped.
The clarification followed confusion caused by Gates' name not appearing on the list of key participants for the summit. His name did not appear when NDTV checked the summit's website at 12.15 pm.
Gates not listed among key participants.
However, he was still listed as the keynote speaker for February 19.
Gates still listed as the Keynote speaker on Feb 19.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, when asked about Gates, said, "Regarding who want to attend or not it's their personal choice. I really do not want to comment on it."
On Monday, Gates said India was ahead in the digital revolution and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, with playing a key role in this push.
The Gates Foundation has been prioritising the health sector and taken up several critical public health projects, he said, stressing the need to make health services available to all.
The Foundation is already working on health-related projects in Chittoor district, and is expected to scale-up these interventions to benefit the wider population across the southern state.
Meanwhile, earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the use of science and technology for public interest as the summit entered its second day.
"Intelligence, rationality and decision-making make science and technology useful to the masses. The India AI Impact Summit aims to see how AI can be used in public interest," he wrote in a post in Hindi.
On the first day of the summit, i.e., Monday, the Prime Minister underscored India's commitment to responsible and inclusive AI during the inauguration of the expo. He then interacted with exhibitors, including startups, researchers and technology leaders, who showcased AI applications across sectors.
Separately, another high-profile guest at the summit, France President Emmanuel Macron, is expected to discuss India-France cooperation in AI and a potential multibillion-dollar Rafale fighter jet deal.
The two leaders will also exchange views on regional and global issues and review the India-France partnership. The visit follows Delhi's confirmation last week it intends to place a Rs 3.25 lakh crore order for 114 Rafale jets and a landmark trade deal with the European Union signed in January.
