The editor of a German magazine that purported to publish an interview with Michael Schumacher has been fired. Die Aktuelle published an edition earlier this week bearing the words "Michael Schumacher, The First Interview, World Sensation", along with a picture of the seven-time World Champion. In much smaller type, the magazine also printed the words "It sounds deceptively real", indicating that the so-called interview was actually created by an AI chatbot. Die Aktuelle 's publishers on Friday apologised to the Schumacher family and announced the dismissal of editor-in-chief Anne Hoffmann. "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 .
Schumacher family pursuing legal action
Schumacher sustained severe head injuries in a skiing accident in Meribel in December 2013. The German has not been seen or heard from in public since then, and any information as to his condition remains a closely-guarded secret. Following the article's publication, a spokesperson for the Schumacher family confirmed that appropriate legal action would be taken against Die Aktuelle . Die Aktuelle has history with the Schumacher family, including articles claiming the former Ferrari driver was awake, and winning a legal case against the family when it claimed Schumacher's wife Corinna had a "new love" in her life, though this ultimately referred to the couple's daughter, Gina.
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