A map of Africa shown during a presentation at the Aids 2026 conference in Rio de Janeiro incorrectly labeled every country on the continent, drawing attention and criticism from conference attendees and observers online. The map, displayed by the US State Department, contained significant geographical errors, including Nigeria being depicted as a landlocked country in the Sahara Desert, Mozambique relocated to the Horn of Africa, and Côte d’Ivoire positioned on the opposite side of the continent.

The image was identified as having been generated using artificial intelligence tools, specifically those developed by OpenAI, as marked by a visible watermark. The errors came to light after screenshots of the map were widely shared on social media platforms, notably following a post by Aids expert Emily Bass on Substack that attracted extensive viewership, including around 40,000 views on LinkedIn.

The US State Department acknowledged full responsibility for the mistake, attributing it to a team member who hastily altered the slide deck prior to the presentation. The department emphasized that the error had caused confusion and misrepresentation, particularly for African partners attending the conference. Jeff Graham, the US’s top health envoy overseeing the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar), was the speaker presenting at the event but did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.

Despite the oversight, officials maintained that the conference’s discussions remained substantive and constructive, reaffirming the United States’ commitment to achieving measurable progress in combating Aids. The US government has been scaling back certain aspects of its aid programs, including prevention and surveillance efforts, following a pause on funding initiated during the previous administration. However, core activities under Pepfar, such as the provision of life-saving medications, have largely continued.

Observers commenting on the incident highlighted concerns about the lack of basic geographic accuracy and the implications of relying on AI-generated materials without adequate verification. The mislabeling prompted broader reflections on the accuracy and responsibility required when using emerging technologies in official government communications. OpenAI did not issue a response to inquiries regarding the map’s creation.