Michigan Credit Union CEO Ousted Over AI Photo

The chief executive of a Michigan credit union has lost her job after posting an AI-altered photo of her family wearing “Lake America” sweatshirts.
Family First Credit Union in Saginaw confirmed that Jane Smith “is no longer an employee.” Chief Operating Officer Jason Acosta will serve as interim CEO.
Smith posted the image to Facebook on September 11. She said she photographed her family at Detroit airport before a trip to Halifax, Canada, then used ChatGPT to add the “Lake America” wording to their sweaters.
The phrase refers to President Donald Trump’s late-August order directing federal agencies to call Lake Ontario “Lake America” during a trade dispute with Canada. Her caption read, “Like our sweatshirts? Not sure Canada will,” ending with “Lol lol.”
The post drew backlash from Canadians, many noting it landed on the 25th anniversary of 9\/11, when Halifax sheltered stranded airline passengers. Smith apologized, telling WJRT-TV she meant to “poke fun” at the renaming and calling it a lapse in judgment.
The credit union apologized for the “concern, disappointment and pain” the episode caused members.
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