F1 star Michael Schumacher’s fake interview with AI generated quotes in German magazine sparks frenzy
The publication, dated April 15, 2023, had a smiling Schumacher on the front and claimed that it had the celebrity’s first post-accident interview.
However, it was later discovered that the former driver’s supposed quotes were fake and made through an artificial intelligence programme.
The 54-year-old has been in a medically induced coma since his terrible skiing accident and little is known about his condition at this time.
The seven-time world champion resides in Geneva, Switzerland.
Esto es vergonzoso.
La revista alemana ‘Die aktuelle’ publicó hace unos días en su portada LA PRIMERA ENTREVISTA A MICHAEL SCHUMACHER TRAS SU ACCIDENTE.
¿Dónde está el truco? Pues que las respuestas de la entrevista se han generado con Inteligencia Artificial. Son falsas. 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/12yFWST4A8
— #PorQuéTT (@xqTTs) April 19, 2023
Michael’s wife Corinna, who has been referred to as his “guardian angel,” has been in charge of making sure his request for privacy is honoured and is believed to have implemented a “family only” ban on visits.
The article, titled “My life has completely changed”, detailed Schumacher’s feelings about the accident, his children, and his future.
The front cover read “World sensation” while below it said “It sounds deceptively real.”
The supposed quotes by Schumacher read: “My life has completely changed since [the accident]. That was a horrible time for my wife, my children and the whole family.
“I was so badly injured that I lay for months in a kind of artificial coma, because otherwise my body couldn’t have dealt with it all.”
“I’ve had a tough time but the hospital team has managed to bring me back to my family.”
In the end, the article concludes that the interview is in fact the result of an AI chatbot called Character.ai and the magazine has not spoken to Schumacher or anyone from his family.
“The interview was on the internet. On a page that has to do with artificial intelligence or AI for short.”
The F1 champion, who is regarded as one of the best drivers of all time, won five times for Ferrari and twice for Benetton. From 1991 through 2006, and then from 2010 to 2012, he ran in races, taking home 91 victories.
