The family of seven-time F1 world champion, Michael Schumacher, has won compensation worth €200,000 from the publishers of a German magazine, Die Aktuelle, for printing an unauthorized AI-generated interview. The article, released in April 2023, falsely presented an interview with Schumacher, including the AI-generated quotes on his health and family life after his severe skiing accident in December 2013. His family has since kept his medical condition private and adhered strictly to maintaining his privacy.
Die Aktuelle’s front-page headline read “Michael Schumacher, the first interview”, giving the impression that the reclusive F1 legend had spoken extensively about his situation for the first time. This led to outrage and legal action from Schumacher’s family. In response, the magazine’s publishers, Funke Media Group, fired the editor-in-chief, Anne Hoffmann. The managing director of Funke Media Group, Bianca Pohlmann, condemned the article, calling it “tasteless and misleading”.
The case has raised questions around the ethical use of AI-generated material, especially involving sensitive topics or non-consenting individuals. It has come in the wake of recent controversies surrounding the use of AI-generated creations, including the Scarlett Johansson debacle, where it was argued that AI companies need to take greater responsibility for how their technology is used.
Another similar incident involved the estate of the late comedian, George Carlin, suing the creators of an AI-generated comedy show that used the comedian’s voice. Also, Zelda Williams, the daughter of late American actor, Robin Williams, spoke about someone using AI to clone her late father’s voice.
The use of deepfake technology, utilized to ‘resurrect’ people who have passed away, has triggered ethical debates globally. A recent study by the University of Cambridge explored hypothetical situations where AI could inflict grave harm to individuals or society. As a result of this—and cases such as the Schumacher one—publishers and individuals are being urged to think twice before using AI-generated content on sensitive subjects.
