The legal battle launched by Michael Schumacher’s family against a magazine publisher that had formulated a deceptive AI-produced interview with the former Formula One champion, has been won by the family. Die Aktuelle, a German gossip magazine, had falsely advertised the words “Michael Schumacher, the first interview!” on its cover in April 2023, with what seemed to be genuine citations from Schumacher, created through artificial intelligence.
The action taken against the publisher was deemed successful, according to Sabine Kehm, the Schumacher family’s spokesperson, although no additional detail was provided. According to reports, the family was awarded compensation in the amount of €200,000.
German publishing company, Funke magazines, issued an apology last year to the Schumacher family for the controversial piece and subsequently terminated the employment of Die Aktuelle’s chief editor, Anne Hoffmann. The managing director of Funke, Bianca Pohlmann, criticized the article, commenting on its poor representation of journalism standards in the publisher’s defence.
In December 2013, Schumacher tragically sustained a potentially fatal head injury whilst skiing in the French Alps at Meribel. His helmet was torn apart by a stone during the fall. Schumacher, a seven-time F1 champion, has since been looked after in the privacy of a Swiss family home following his hospital release in September 2014.
Renowned for his winning 91 races, including five consecutive titles with Ferrari from 2000 to 2004, Schumacher retired from F1 in 2012 at the age of 55. He also clinched two titles with Benetton in 1994 and 1995.