The family of ex-Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher has won its case against a German magazine which published a fake interview generated by artificial intelligence.
The magazine Actual had promoted it on the cover of its April 2023 edition with the words: “Michael Schumacher, the first interview! “. The publication then fabricated alleged statements attributed to Schumacher that were produced with the help of artificial intelligence. Actual is one of many gossip magazines in Germany.
Family spokesperson Sabine Kehm told The Associated Press in an email Thursday that the lawsuit had achieved its goal, without providing further comment.
The family reportedly received financial compensation of 200,000 euros ($296,500).
The German company Funke, which owns numerous magazines — including Actual — apologized to the Schumacher family last year for the article in question and fired its editor-in-chief.
Schumacher suffered a serious fall while skiing at the Alpine resort of Méribel, France, in December 2013, and suffered significant head injuries. His head hit a rock, shattering his helmet. Since being transferred from hospital in September 2014, the seven-time F1 champion has been receiving private healthcare at his home in Switzerland.
Schumacher, now 55, announced his retirement from F1 in 2012, after winning 91 races and five consecutive championships with Ferrari between 2000 and 2004. The German also won two world championships with Benetton, in 1994 and 1995.