Michael Schumacher's family set to sue magazine over fake AI-generated interview

Fake interview causes outrage
The tragic accident
Schumacher's current state
Fake Schumacher interview
AI authored Schumacher interview
Fake interview as a
Character AI
A
Legal Consequences
Ethical principles when using AI
Fake interview causes outrage

A German gossip magazine has caused outrage after advertising a "world first interview" with Michael Schumacher – the first since his skiing accident nine years ago. This of course would be an incredible story, but the problem was that it was all fake – and the interview was conducted with an AI version of the racing great.

The tragic accident

Michael Schumacher, one of the best Formula 1 drivers of all time, suffered a serious traumatic brain injury in a skiing accident in December 2013, as a result of which Schumacher had to be put into an artificial coma for more than six months.

More about Michael Schumacher: Michael Schumacher's tragic accident and the mystery surrounding his current condition

Schumacher's current state

Since then, little has been officially known about Schumacher's condition. According to Schumacher's son Mick and his wife Corinna (photo), he is being treated but cannot speak. An interview with the former racing driver would be all the more sensational.

Fake Schumacher interview

The magazine "Die Aktuell" advertised the Schumacher interview, stating it would "answer the burning questions that the whole world has been asking for so long". However, the interview is not with the real Schumacher.

"Deceptively real"

The editors of the magazine knew that too. Because in small letters under the title of the interview, it stated that "It sounds deceptively real".

AI authored Schumacher interview

‘That was a horrible time for my wife, my children and the whole family,’ it read. "I was so badly injured that I lay for months in a kind of artificial coma, because otherwise my body couldn’t have dealt with it all. I’ve had a tough time but the hospital team has managed to bring me back to my family.’

Fake interview as a "world first"

The editors of the gossip magazine found this interview with Schumacher written by AI on a chatbot, aware of its inauthenticity, and still sold it to the readers as a "world first".

Character AI

The interview appeared on Character.AI, which has trained an AI program to respond as a variety of real and fictional characters, including Socrates, Napoleon, and Mean Girls’ Regina George.

A "remarkable cheek"

So it should be of little surprise that this has caused outrage, especially among fans of the racing great, given the sensitivity around the accident.

"Disgusting" and "tasteless"

Fans on Twitter commented on the magazine's actions as "disgusting" and "tasteless", according to FocusOnline.

Legal Consequences

Michael Schumacher's family is also anything but happy about the fake interview and has announced that they will take legal action against the gossip magazine, according to "Übermedien" after confirmation by Schumacher's management.

Ethical principles when using AI

The fake interview with Michael Schumacher, created by an AI, raises questions as to how far the use of artificial intelligence can go and which ethical principles should be followed. Questions that are currently of enormous importance and urgency, both socially and politically.

Photo: Pixabay / geralt

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