Former Family First Credit Union CEO Jane Smith Out After AI-Edited 'Lake America' Sweatshirt Photo Sparks Outrage
Jane Smith, who previously served as the CEO of Family First Credit Union, has been terminated "effective immediately" following backlash over an AI-altered image she shared. The photo, generated using ChatGPT, depicted Smith and her family wearing "Lake America" sweatshirts during their trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia, which began on September 11. Prior to this trip, Smith had commented on President Trump's executive order to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America. After her sister Lila shared the photo without indicating it was AI-generated, it went viral, resulting in negative reactions and even death threats. Smith issued an apology, recognizing the risks associated with AI. Jason Acosta has stepped in as interim CEO, although Family First's announcement did not directly tie her exit to the incident.
Key facts
- Jane Smith, former CEO of Family First Credit Union, is no longer employed there effective immediately.
- The controversy stemmed from an AI-edited photo of Smith and three family members wearing 'Lake America' sweatshirts.
- The photo was created using ChatGPT during a planned 10-day trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, starting September 11.
- Smith posted the image to her private Facebook page with an AI marker and the caption 'Like our sweatshirts? Not sure Canada will' followed by 'lol lol.'
- Her sister Lila reposted the photo publicly without the AI marker, causing it to spread online and spark outrage in Canada.
- The family returned early from their trip after receiving death threats.
- Jason Acosta, chief operations officer, is now serving as interim CEO, according to a statement on the company's website posted Wednesday.
- Family First, based in Michigan, did not explicitly cite the AI photo scandal as the reason for Smith's departure but posted an apology on Facebook.
Entities
Artists
- Jane Smith
- Jason Acosta
- Lila
- Donald Trump
Institutions
- Family First Credit Union
- CNBC News
- ABC 12 News
- ChatGPT
- PetaPixel
- CTV
Locations
- Michigan
- United States
- Canada
- Halifax
- Nova Scotia
- Lake Ontario
- Lake America
- Saginaw