Editor-in-chief fired after magazine published fake AI-generated Michael Schumacher interview
The editor-in-chief of "Die Aktuelle" was fired and the magazine's parent company apologized to the family of Michael Schumacher after a fake interview with the Formula 1 star that was generated by artificial intelligence was published earlier this month.
Funke made the announcement of the termination on its website Saturday, saying that Anne Hoffmann was relieved of her duties. She has worked at the tabloid since 2009.
"This tasteless and misleading article should never have appeared," Bianca Pohlmann, managing director of FUNKE magazines, said in a statement. "It in no way corresponds to the standards of journalism that we – and our readers – expect from a publisher like FUNKE."
Schumacher has not been seen in public since he suffered a brain injury in a skiing accident in December 2013. His family threatened legal action against the German outlet after "Die Aktuelle" published the interview as its cover story for the week of April 15 and advertised it as "The First Interview." It was revealed at the end of the article that the interview was fake and created with AI.
Schumacher is tied with Lewis Hamilton for most Formula 1 world championships with seven. He retired twice, in 2006 before returning in 2010, and then leaving the sport for good after the 2012 season.
Since he suffered his accident, his family has kept the status of his health private, saying he is at home in Switzerland.
Schumacher's son, Mick, drove in Formula 1 for two seasons with the American-owned team Haas F1. This season, he is a reserve driver for Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michael Schumacher fake AI interview leads to editor's firing
