German editor sacked over fake AI 'interview' with Schumacher

Berlin [Germany], April 23: The editor-in-chief of the German tabloid magazine that published a fake AI-generated interview with the former Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher was dismissed on Friday by the Funke media group. Funke, which publishes the magazine, also apologised to the Schumacher family. "This tasteless and misleading article should never have appeared. It in no way corresponds to the standards of journalism that we - and our readers - expect from a publisher like Funke," said Bianca Pohlmann, managing director of Funke magazines. Anne Hoffmann at Die Aktuelle magazine, was "relieved of her duties as of today," a Funke statement said.
The story published this week in Die Aktuelle caused a stir and a debate about the perils of AI. The magazine's cover was a photo of Schumacher with the headline "Michael Schumacher: The first interview!" and a smaller headline "It sounds deceptively real." Inside the magazine, it became clear that the fake interview generated by a website usingAI tools. Most fans would know that the content were entirely fabricated, as Schumacher has lived in complete seclusion since a major brain injury while skiing in 2013. The accident left him with severe, long-lasting health effects. He has not been seen in public since the accident. The "interview" misleadingly suggested that Schumacher, 54, had revealed details of his recovery.(DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune