Michigan Credit Union CEO Leaves Role After AI-Generated 'Lake America' Photo

The chief executive of a Michigan credit union is no longer employed there, according to a statement from Family First Credit Union cited by The Guardian, after she posted on social media what appeared to be an AI-generated image of herself and her family wearing sweaters bearing the words “Lake America.”

The phrase refers to a name that Donald Trump had directed U.S. agencies to use for Lake Ontario amid a trade dispute with Canada, The Guardian reported. The former executive, identified in the report as Jane Smith, reportedly used ChatGPT to edit the photo.

In its statement announcing her departure, Family First Credit Union apologized “for the concern, disappointment and pain this situation has caused,” according to The Guardian's reporting. The organization did not elaborate further on the specific circumstances of her departure beyond the apology.

The incident adds to a series of episodes in which AI-edited or AI-generated images tied to politically charged topics have prompted public and professional fallout for those who shared them.