Michael Schumacher Family Sues Over AI-Generated Fake Interview

In a recent controversial incident involving former Formula 1 racing legend Michael Schumacher, German gossip magazine Die Aktuelle has incited the ire of Schumacher’s family by publishing an artificial intelligence-generated interview with the renowned driver, without adequately disclosing the artificial nature of the conversation, leading the family to take legal action against the publication. The magazine, known for its sensational headlines and stories, had proudly announced on its front page “Michael Schumacher: the first interview” since his devastating skiing accident, only mentioning the utilization of artificial intelligence in minuscule text located at the base of the interview, resulting in a misleading impression for readers who believed they were privy to an exclusive interview with the former racing star.

Michael Schumacher, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, tragically experienced a severe brain injury in 2013 when he fell while skiing in the French Alps, subsequently placed in a medically-induced coma for six months before being transferred to his Swiss home for continued recovery. In the years following this life-altering accident, Schumacher’s family has maintained a strong emphasis on privacy, releasing minimal information regarding his medical condition and ensuring that their private life remains guarded, a principle that Schumacher himself had always championed.

In the disputed artificial intelligence-generated interview, statements were attributed to Schumacher claiming that he closely follows the careers of his children, including his son Mick, a Formula 1 driver, and his daughter Gina, a professional horse rider. One particular quote from the fake interview read, “My life has completely changed since the accident.” This manipulation of Schumacher’s voice and image stands in stark contrast to the family’s desire for privacy, as articulated by his wife Corinna in a 2021 Netflix documentary: “Private is private, he always said. It is very important to me that he can continue his life in as much privacy as possible. Michael always protected us, and now we protect Michael.”

Die Aktuelle’s dubious reputation in relation to reporting on Schumacher is not a new development, as evidenced by a 2014 incident where the magazine published a pre-accident photograph of Schumacher on their front page, accompanied by the caption “He’s in the sun!” insinuating that the driver was recuperating. Such misleading stories are not limited to this particular publication, with gossip magazines like Bunte having faced legal consequences for publishing false information about Schumacher’s health, such as the 2015 “Christmas miracle” story claiming he could walk again, which was subsequently debunked by Schumacher’s legal team and resulted in the magazine being fined.

As Schumacher’s mythical status in Germany continues to fuel public interest in his well-being, gossip magazines seem relentless in their pursuit of stories surrounding the racing legend, often disregarding the family’s wishes for privacy. In the wake of the fake artificial intelligence interview, discussions in Germany have emerged surrounding the ethical use and implications of AI technology, particularly in the context of this recent incident, which ultimately appears as an attempt by Die Aktuelle to capitalize on Schumacher’s fame for their own gain.