The family of seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher are set to take legal action against a German magazine for a fake, AI-generated 'interview'.
Outlet Die Aktuelle ran a front page, claiming an exclusive interview with Schumacher, who is still recovering from serious brain injuries sustained in a skiing accident in December 2013.
"Answers from him" were promised in the article, but only after the purported 'interview' is it made clear that an AI chat bot had generated the interview, with Schumacher not taking part in any way.
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Schumacher family to take legal action
A spokesperson for the Schumacher family confirmed that appropriate legal action would be taken, with the family fiercely protective of the 91-time Grand Prix winner's condition since the accident nearly a decade ago.
Updates have been scarce on his condition, although he was brought out of an induced coma in May 2014 after hitting his head while skiing off-piste with son Mick the previous December.
He is believed to be at the family's Swiss home in Geneva, with wife Corinna admitting that "Michael is here, different, but he's here," in the Netflix documentary Schumacher.
"We're trying to carry on as a family, the way Michael liked it and still does. 'Private is private', as he always said," Corinna explained.
"It's very important to me that he can continue to enjoy his private life as much as possible. Michael always protected us, and now we are protecting Michael."
Die Aktuelle has history with the Schumacher family, including articles claiming the former Ferrari driver was "awake" in one and also winning a legal case against the family when it claimed a "new love" was in Corinna's life, although this referred to the couple's daughter, Gina.
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