Formula One legend Michael Schumacher recently graced the cover of Die Aktuelle magazine, captioned ‘Michael Schumacher, first interview’. The only problem is that the seven-time F1 champion did not agree to be interviewed by Dai, his Actuel or others.
The German weekly magazine instead published an AI-generated “interview” with a 54-year-old racing driver who suffered a severe head injury in a skiing accident ten years ago and has not been seen in public since.
Schumacher’s family is reportedly planning a lawsuit against the magazine. This story raises important ethical questions about the use of AI, but it also raises related questions about basic decency. Did the publisher really think it was right to force the AI to LARP him like Schumacher and print the interview as if it were a major scoop?
interview that wasn’t
In an “interview” for Die Aktuelle, the Schumacher impersonator talked about how his life changed after a skiing accident in the French Alps in December 2013.
“It was a terrifying time for my wife, children and the whole family,” he wrote.
“I was so badly injured that I lay in an artificial coma for months because otherwise my body wouldn’t be able to handle it all.”
Whoever put together the AI answer prompts was thorough, if the introduction of the article works. It read: But the answer from him! Michael Schumacher, 54! “
The “interview” began as follows. By redeeming the answers to the most pressing questions the whole world has long sought. “
The back cover of the front cover read, “It sounded deceptively real,” revealing the interview wasn’t real, but many believed the words came directly from the former Ferrari driver. Especially since his smile was on the cover of the magazine.
Fans ridicule ‘despicable behavior’
Since the accident, the Schumacher family has kept his privacy tight, restricting access to those closest to the driver and disclosing very little information to the media.
After being placed in an induced coma following the accident, Schumacher returned home in September 2014. 2021His wife Corinna said, “We’re doing everything we can to make Michael better, make sure he’s comfortable, and make him feel our family, our bond.” I will do
“It’s very important to me that he can continue to enjoy his private life as much as possible. Michael always protected us and now we protect him.”
Fans react to AI’s disturbing interviews on social media. “What an unbelievably cruel thing to do to his family, absolute despicable behaviour.” Said Hazel Southwell, who covers motorsports for ESPN.
another I have written“How low can the media go? Wrong on so many levels.”
It’s unclear from the article which chatbot conducted the interview, but ChatGPT is the most likely candidate.
A post by the Schumacher family, enraged by an AI-generated ‘interview’ with the star, first appeared on MetaNews.