Michael Schumacher’s family to take legal action against German newspaper over fake AI ‘interview’

The family of Formula One legend Michael Schumacher is set to take legal action against a German tabloid that published an AI-generated “interview” with the retired driver. The cover story in Die Aktuelle’s April 15th issue promised “the first interview” with Schumacher since he suffered a severe brain injury in 2013. The interview was actually a hoax produced entirely by an AI chatbot. The article had featured a photo of Schumacher with a subheading that read, “It sounds deceptively real.” Schumacher’s family, who have long guarded his privacy, confirmed to ESPN that they plan to sue the magazine.

Since the accident, Schumacher’s condition has remained private. The only public glimpse into his life came through the 2021 Netflix documentary, “Schumacher,” where his wife Corinna spoke about their life together. In the documentary, Corinna described Michael as “different, but he’s here, and that gives us strength.” She went on to say that the family was “trying to carry on as a family, the way Michael liked it and still does. And we are getting on with our lives. ‘Private is private,’ as he always said.”

The hoax interview promised “answers from him” and gave the impression that Schumacher had spoken directly to the magazine. The use of AI to generate fake interviews is a concerning development, and Schumacher’s family is determined to take a stand against it. The magazine’s use of AI to produce a fake interview raises serious ethical questions about the boundaries of technology in the world of journalism. The Schumacher family’s legal action sends a clear message that they will not tolerate this kind of deception.