A keynote speaker at the annual NeurIPS AI conference has sparked controversy and criticism after referencing a Chinese student's nationality in a presentation, leading to accusations of racial bias and insensitivity.

The incident occurred during MIT Media Lab Professor Rosalind Picard's keynote presentation on "How to optimize what matters most," in which she included a slide quoting an excuse given by a "Chinese student who is now expelled from top university" for using AI. The slide also included a note from Picard saying, "Most Chinese who I know are honest and morally upright."

The remark was met with swift criticism from attendees and online commentators, who saw it as an example of explicit racial bias. Google DeepMind scientist Jiao Sun shared a photo of the slide on social media, writing, "Mitigating racial bias from LLMs is a lot easier than removing it from humans!" Yuandong Tian, a research scientist at Meta, reposted Sun's comment and added, "This is explicit racial bias. How could this happen in NeurIPS?"

In Q&A footage that was also shared online, an attendee noted that this was the only time anyone's nationality was referenced in Picard's presentation, suggesting that it was "a bit offensive," and urged her to remove the reference if she gave the presentation again. Picard seemed to agree with the suggestion, acknowledging the unnecessary and irrelevant mention of the student's nationality.

Following the talk, NeurIPS organizers posted an apology, stating that the comment made during the invited talk did not align with their code of conduct and that they were addressing the issue with the speaker directly. Picard also issued a statement apologizing for her remark, expressing "regret" for mentioning the student's nationality and acknowledging that it caused unintended negative associations.

The incident has sparked a wider debate on racial bias in AI and the importance of inclusivity and diversity in the field. It highlights the need for greater awareness and sensitivity among AI researchers and practitioners, particularly when it comes to language and cultural references. As Picard herself acknowledged, "I am learning from this experience, and I welcome ideas for how to try to make amends to the community."

The controversy serves as a reminder that AI development must prioritize ethical considerations and cultural sensitivity to ensure that the technology benefits all people, regardless of their background or nationality. As the AI community continues to grapple with issues of bias and inclusivity, incidents like this serve as important learning opportunities for promoting a more equitable and diverse field.

In the aftermath of the incident, NeurIPS organizers and Picard have taken steps to address the issue and promote greater inclusivity and diversity in the AI community. The incident serves as a timely reminder of the importance of cultural sensitivity and awareness in AI development, and the need for ongoing efforts to promote a more equitable and diverse field.