Michigan CEO out of job after posting AI photo of ‘Lake America’ sweatshirts
· Toronto Sun
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A Michigan credit union is down its CEO after she shared a photo of her family wearing AI-generated “Lake America” sweatshirts during a trip to Canada.
Jane Smith is no longer employed by Family First Credit Union in Saginaw, Mich., the financial institution said in statement on Facebook .
“We sincerely apologize for the concern, disappointment and pain this situation has caused our members and community,” it continued.
“We understand that members of our community may hold different perspectives about this decision,” they added. “Our responsibility is to act in the best interest of the Credit Union, uphold the trust of our members and continue putting our community first.”
Family First Credit Union named Jason Acosta its interim CEO, effective immediately.
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Fake shirts, real consequences
The offending sweatshirts surfaced Sept. 11, when Smith shared a photo of herself and her family and used ChatGPT to make it look like they were wearing matching sweatshirts sporting President Donald Trump’s replacement name for Lake Ontario, WJRT reported.
Smith’s family was travelling to Halifax for a 10-day trip at the time.
“Like our sweatshirts? Not sure Canada will. Lol lol,” Smith captioned her Facebook post, which has since been deleted.
Smith noted that her sister, who was also on the trip, took a screenshot of her post and shared it — without detailing it was made using AI.
The former CEO’s post sparked outrage online, with the Saginaw page on Reddit asking, “Does Everyone in Saginaw hate Canada? or is it just Jane Smith?”
Smith said that since returning home, she has been getting death threats.
No more AI, thank you very much
She also vowed to never use AI again.
“I think the AI can be dangerous in the fact that it can make people think something’s real that’s not,” Smith said. “I understand if I was someone in Halifax and I thought a poor group of people walked in wearing those sweatshirts, it is highly offensive and I would understand why they would be so angry.”
She continued: “We weren’t trying to make a political statement. However, we were, you know, kind of poking fun at the fact that you know one of the Great Lakes’ names were getting changed.”
Smith added: “I am not a person that would ever want to offend or hurt anybody. I do regret having any post that would make someone feel like we don’t value them as human beings.”
In an earlier statement to WJRT , the credit union said it “unequivocally disapproves and rejects the content of the social media post involving our CEO, Jane Smith.”
Smith also issued a statement at the time: “I want to sincerely apologize to everyone. I never intended to insult, mock, or harm anyone, but I recognize that my intent does not erase the impact. I take full responsibility for creating and sharing the image.”