Credit Union CEO Departed After Sharing AI-Generated ‘Lake America’ Family Image

A Michigan credit union CEO has been terminated after sharing a social media post featuring what appeared to be an AI-generated image of her family wearing sweaters bearing the phrase “Lake America.”

In a statement announcing Jane Smith’s departure, Family First Credit Union also expressed regret, saying it was sorry “for the concern, disappointment and pain this situation has caused.”

Smith, who served as chief executive officer of the Family First Credit Union, posed for a family photograph at the Detroit airport while traveling to Halifax, Canada. She reportedly utilized ChatGPT to alter the family’s sweaters to read “Lake America.” Since late August, the name has been applied to Lake Ontario following an executive order from President Trump amid his trade dispute with Canada.

Smith subsequently shared the altered image on Facebook on September 11, the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States. The post included the caption: “Like our sweatshirts? Not sure Canada will.”

The post concluded with “Lol lol.” It quickly went viral and sparked significant backlash from individuals in Canada, where a portion of the lake is located.

Online users deemed the post disrespectful, and it has since been removed, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) News.

Many commenters pointed out that the post was highly insensitive, considering Halifax’s historical role in hosting thousands of stranded airline passengers who were diverted there when US airspace was closed on the day of the 9/11 attacks.

As the controversy escalated, the Saginaw, Michigan-based Family First Credit Union stated it was reviewing the matter. Meanwhile, Smith apologized, expressing regret and maintaining that the post resulted from poor judgment, acknowledging why it would be considered offensive.

“We weren’t trying to make a political statement,” Smith told Detroit television station WJRT. “However, we were, you know, kind of poking fun” at the renaming of one of the Great Lakes.

“I understand if someone in Halifax saw a group of people walking around in those sweatshirts; it would be highly offensive, and I would understand their anger,” she continued in her remarks to WJRT. “I am not someone who ever wants to offend or hurt anyone.”

“I do regret posting anything that would make someone feel as though we do not value them as human beings.”

Despite her apology, the credit union made it clear that it had severed ties with Smith.

“Jane Smith is no longer employed by Family First Credit Union, effective immediately,” stated the organization in a social media post.

After announcing that Jason Acosta would serve as Smith’s interim successor, the statement continued, “We sincerely apologize for the concern, disappointment and pain this situation has caused our members and community.”

“We understand that members of our community may hold different perspectives on this decision. Our responsibility is to act in the best interest of the Credit Union, uphold the trust of our members, and continue prioritizing our community.”

Family First Credit Union’s statement regarding Smith came following broader repudiation in Canada and beyond of Trump’s executive order changing Lake Ontario’s name to Lake America.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney explained in a social media post that the body of water’s name originates from the language of the Indigenous Wendat people and predates both the Canadian Confederation and the United States’ declaration of independence from the UK.

“Canadians … know that naming reality means calling it Lake Ontario – then, now and always,” he wrote on X.

Several US governors in the Great Lakes region also dismissed the name change. Michigan shares a border with the Canadian province of Ontario and four of the five Great Lakes.

Lake Ontario is the only Great Lake that Michigan does not border. New York is the only US state that borders Lake Ontario.

Trump’s order holds no authority to rename Canada’s portion of the lake. Furthermore, it lacks the power to compel Canada, international legal bodies, international mapmakers, or the rest of the world to adopt a new name.

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