Michigan credit union CEO leaves after AI-edited family photo backlash
Family First Credit Union said Jane Smith was no longer its CEO after she posted an AI-edited family image featuring “Lake America” sweaters. Smith apologised and said the post was intended as a joke, while critics in Canada called it offensive.
Jane Smith is no longer chief executive of Michigan’s Family First Credit Union after posting an image of her family wearing sweaters marked “Lake America”, according to the organisation and reporting cited by The Guardian. Smith reportedly used ChatGPT to edit a family photograph taken at Detroit airport before a trip to Halifax, Canada. She posted the image on Facebook on September 11 with the caption, “Like our sweatshirts?
Not sure Canada will,” followed by “Lol lol”. The image circulated widely online and drew criticism from Canadians who considered it disrespectful. Commenters also noted that Halifax had hosted thousands of airline passengers diverted there after US airspace closed during the September 11 attacks.
Smith apologised and said the post reflected poor judgment. She told a local television station that the family had been “poking fun” at the change in the name of one of the Great Lakes and said they had not intended to make a political statement. Family First said Smith’s employment ended immediately and named Jason Acosta as her interim successor.
The credit union apologised for the concern and disappointment caused, saying it had to act in the best interests of its members and uphold their trust. The controversy followed President Donald Trump’s order that US federal agencies use “Lake America” for Lake Ontario. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected the change, saying the lake’s name came from the Indigenous Wendat language and predated both Canadian Confederation and US independence.
The order does not apply to Canada’s portion of the lake and cannot compel Canada, international bodies or international mapmakers to adopt the name.
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