Formula One

Michael Schumacher’s family to pursue legal action over AI interview

The rapid development of AI is undoubtedly causing headaches for legislators and court systems globally as they struggle to deal with the technology.

A German magazine has used artificial intelligence to simulate an interview with former Formula One driver Michael Schumacher and now his family said they’ll pursue legal action over the matter.

The German magazine Die Aktuelle released on April 14 promised “the first interview!” with Schumacher since he suffered a serious brain injury in a 2013 skiing accident.

*The front cover of the Die Aktuelle edition, which, translated, says “Michael Schumacher the first interview!” Source:* *Funke*

While the magazine did add the line “it sounds deceptively real” to the front cover, the article contained a series of alleged quotes that were generated by AI, which was revealed only at the end of the article, much to the disgust of many fans.

To actually print on your cover “World Sensation!” “First Interview” and even on the pages only give little hints that it was a AI, it’s absolutely crazy

— Patrick (@RacingStorki) April 19, 2023

A spokesperson for Schumacher’s family confirmed to ESPN and Reuters on April 20 that they will be taking legal action against Die Aktuelle.

The slated lawsuit follows a growing wave of regulatory movements involving AI as governments and courts grapple with how to deal with the rapidly developing technology.

Twelve European Union lawmakers have called for the “safe” and collaborative development of AI in a letter that asked for a universal set of rules on AI development.

The lawmakers asked for a summit to be convened by European and United States leaders to discuss governing principles for the development, control and deployment of AI.

Others could be using AI to deceive in the business world. A financial regulator in California recently took action against multiple companies alleging one used AI to create an avatar that appeared as its CEO in YouTube videos.

AI has recently been used to impersonate other celebrities. A clip of rapper Kanye West purporting to perform a cover of Drake’s hit song “Hold On, We’re Going Home” recently went viral on Twitter, but the audio was actually generated by AI.

The fact that this AI generated audio of Kanye West doing a cover of Drake’s “Hold On, We’re Going Home” sounds just like the real Kanye is scary and exciting.

The scary part: AI will never be this worst again.

Exciting part: this could unlock new doors of creativity. pic.twitter.com/u5RfmpKTcT

— Aliou Sidibe (@heyaliou) March 31, 2023

Media conglomerate Universal Music Group is reportedly concerned over such AI-generated songs, having told streaming platforms such as Spotify to block AI-related services from being able to harvest copyrighted media.

Magazine: Here’s how Ethereum’s ZK-rollups can become interoperable

Merch and perfume: Formula One trademark filing paves the way for F1 NFTs

F1 files trademark for 2023 Las Vegas Strip Circuit Grand Prix, listing NFTs and cryptocurrency in a variety of potential goods and services on offer.

Formula One could introduce nonfungible tokens (NFTs), digital collectibles and cryptocurrency payment support ahead of the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023.

F1’s trademark department registered two new trademark filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on August 23. The filings outline the trademark and logo for the Las Vegas Strip Circuit and a wide-ranging list of goods and services that the event intends to offer during next year’s race.

Of particular interest were specific mentions of NFT and cryptocurrency-related offerings as well as blockchain-powered transactional services. The filing notes NFTs that will represent ownership of a wide variety of real-world items, including vehicle equipment, decorative items, clothing, bags, wallets and even “perfumery.”

The filing also notes “downloadable computer software for managing cryptocurrency transactions using blockchain technology,” potentially suggesting that the race and its organizers are gearing up to support cryptocurrency payments.

This is further illustrated by another clause describing financial goods and services covering the breadth of cryptocurrency and blockchain-based payment systems:

“Financial services including e-wallets and cryptocurrency; electronic transfer of crypto assets; currency exchange services; currency trading; virtual currency services; electronic funds transfer provided via blockchain technology; financial transactions via blockchain; cryptocurrency services, namely, providing a digital currency or digital token for use via a global computer network; provision of tokens; provision of non-fungible tokens.”

The provision of cryptography software is also present, with both filings listing downloadable software for processing cryptocurrency transactions using blockchain technology.

Cointelegraph has reached out to the Formula One trademark department to ascertain the finer details of the filing for the Las Vegas Grand Prix and whether the extensive list of goods and services signal confirmation of intent for NFT and cryptocurrency offerings.

Formula One has been a major advertising platform for various cryptocurrency exchanges over the past few years. Crypto.com’s branding has been prominently visible on F1 track advertising boards worldwide for the past year after becoming a global partner of the roadshow. As previously reported, several exchanges and cryptocurrency firms sponsor F1 teams, with eight of the 10 teams backed by industry participants.

The Sin City is set to host its first-ever Formula One race after the much-loved motorsport group announced in March 2022 that Las Vegas would be the newest addition to the race calendar in 2023.

That leaves a little over a year until the first race cruises through the Las Vegas Strip in a night race that will become the third stop in the United States for the F1 roadshow next November.