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==Career==
==Career==
O'Brien founded Scorpion Computer Services in 1988 and serves as its [[CEO]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/New-CBS-show-to-air-about-Wexford-born-genius-Walter-OBrien.html | title=Wexford-born genius Walter O’Brien chats about the new CBS show on his life | publisher=Irish Central | date=September 17, 2014 | accessdate=February 23, 2015 | author=Kayla Hertz}}</ref><ref name=nyp/><ref name=ic2/><ref name=fastcompany1>{{cite news |title=How the real hacker behind CBS'S "Scorpion made as how to grow his own company, and more hackers|author=Susan Karlin|work=Fast Company|url=http://www.fastcocreate.com/3036367/how-the-real-hacker-behind-cbs-scorpion-made-a-show-to-grow-his-own-company-and-more-hackers|accessdate=29 January 2015}}</ref> He also serves as Chief Scientist at Langford & Carmichael,<ref name=lam>{{cite web|title=Walter O’Brien, Chief Scientist|url=http://www.langford-carmichael.com/management.php|publisher=Langford and Carmichael}}</ref> a strategic business consultancy and veteran run small business.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/08/business/la-fi-smallbiz-vet-fraud-20110808|title=
O'Brien founded Scorpion Computer Services in 1988 and serves as its [[CEO]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/New-CBS-show-to-air-about-Wexford-born-genius-Walter-OBrien.html | title=Wexford-born genius Walter O’Brien chats about the new CBS show on his life | publisher=Irish Central | date=September 17, 2014 | accessdate=February 23, 2015 | author=Kayla Hertz}}</ref><ref name=nyp/><ref name=ic2/><ref name=fastcompany1>{{cite news |title=How the real hacker behind CBS'S "Scorpion made as how to grow his own company, and more hackers|author=Susan Karlin|work=Fast Company|url=http://www.fastcocreate.com/3036367/how-the-real-hacker-behind-cbs-scorpion-made-a-show-to-grow-his-own-company-and-more-hackers|accessdate=29 January 2015}}</ref> He also serves as Chief Scientist at Langford & Carmichael,<ref name=lam>{{cite web|title=Walter O’Brien, Chief Scientist|url=http://www.langford-carmichael.com/management.php|publisher=Langford and Carmichael}}</ref> a strategic business consultancy and veteran run small business.{{Citation needed}}
VA Is Making Veteran-Owned Businesses Further Prove Their Status|date= 8 August 2011|first= Cyndia |last= Zwahlen|work=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=30 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.openfos.com/supply/5643112-LANGFORD-CARMICHAEL-in-STUDIO-CITY-CA/|title= Langford & Carmichael, Inc.|publisher=Openfos|accessdate=30 November 2014}}</ref> He also developed ScenGen (Scenario Generator),<ref name=lam/><ref>{{cite web|title=ScenGen: Scenario Generator, 'Every Move', A Scientific Approach to System Test|url=http://www.langford-carmichael.com/images/ScenGen_Overview.pdf|publisher=Langford and Carmichael|date=2011|quote=ScenGen is a unique software program that can generate all possible scenarios for a given situation at a very high speed}}</ref> which won CONNECT's 2011 "Most Innovative Product of the Year" in the "Aerospace and Security Technologies" category.<ref>{{cite web|title=Connect Announces San Diego’s Most Innovative New Products of 2011|url=http://connect.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/2011-MIP-Winners.pdf|publisher=Connect|date=December 9, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2011 CONNECT MIP Award Winner, Aerospace and Security Technologies|url=http://www.langford-carmichael.com/recognition.php|publisher=Langford and Carmichael}}</ref> ScenGen is a scenario generator that can generate a number of possible results for any given situation according to user-inputted variables and relationships.<ref name=ic2/> The program is used by organizations in multiple industries, including defense and financial services.<ref name=irishtimes2002>{{cite news |title=High speed software puts firm on fast track |author=Suzanne Lynch |date=27 January 2012
He also developed ScenGen (Scenario Generator),<ref name=lam/><ref>{{cite web|title=ScenGen: Scenario Generator, 'Every Move', A Scientific Approach to System Test|url=http://www.langford-carmichael.com/images/ScenGen_Overview.pdf|publisher=Langford and Carmichael|date=2011|quote=ScenGen is a unique software program that can generate all possible scenarios for a given situation at a very high speed}}</ref> which won CONNECT's 2011 "Most Innovative Product of the Year" in the "Aerospace and Security Technologies" category.<ref>{{cite web|title=Connect Announces San Diego’s Most Innovative New Products of 2011|url=http://connect.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/2011-MIP-Winners.pdf|publisher=Connect|date=December 9, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2011 CONNECT MIP Award Winner, Aerospace and Security Technologies|url=http://www.langford-carmichael.com/recognition.php|publisher=Langford and Carmichael}}</ref> ScenGen is a scenario generator that can generate a number of possible results for any given situation according to user-inputted variables and relationships.<ref name=ic2/> The program is used by organizations in multiple industries, including defense and financial services.<ref name=irishtimes2002>{{cite news |title=High speed software puts firm on fast track |author=Suzanne Lynch |date=27 January 2012
|work=The Irish Times |accessdate=28 December 2014 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-30578990.html}}</ref>
|work=The Irish Times |accessdate=28 December 2014 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-30578990.html}}</ref>


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===Controversy===
===Controversy===
In September 2014, [[Mike Masnick]] of ''[[Techdirt]]'' wrote an article challenging the accuracy of O'Brien's biography.<ref name="Techdirt 2014-09-25">{{cite web |url=https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140924/14422128627/another-story-fake-brilliant-inventor-is-scorpion-walter-obrien-real-computer-security-genius.shtml|title=Another Story of a 'Fake' Brilliant Inventor? Is 'Scorpion Walter O'Brien' a Real Computer Security Genius?|authorlink=Mike Masnick|first= Mike |last= Masnick|date=25 September 2014|work=[[Techdirt]]|accessdate=9 October 2014}}</ref> ''[[The Irish Times]]'' next interviewed O'Brien with the subsequent article stating that "it is impossible to substantiate some claims."<ref name=it2/> In October 2014, Susan Karlin of ''[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company magazine]]'' wrote an article that addressed some of the skepticism over O’Brien’s biography. During the interview, O'Brien answered some of Karlin's questions, did not respond to others, and declined to answer questions raised by people in the computer security industry stating that he was bound by [[non-disclosure agreement]]s.<ref name=Karlin/>
In September 2014, [[Mike Masnick]] of ''[[Techdirt]]'' wrote an article challenging the accuracy of O'Brien's biography.<ref name="Techdirt 2014-09-25">{{cite web |url=https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140924/14422128627/another-story-fake-brilliant-inventor-is-scorpion-walter-obrien-real-computer-security-genius.shtml|title=Another Story of a 'Fake' Brilliant Inventor? Is 'Scorpion Walter O'Brien' a Real Computer Security Genius?|authorlink=Mike Masnick|first= Mike |last= Masnick|date=25 September 2014|work=[[Techdirt]]|accessdate=9 October 2014}}</ref> ''[[The Irish Times]]'' next interviewed O'Brien with the subsequent article stating that "it is impossible to substantiate some claims."<ref name=it2/> In October 2014, Susan Karlin of ''[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company magazine]]'' wrote an article that addressed some of the skepticism over O’Brien’s biography. During the interview, O'Brien answered some of Karlin's questions, did not respond to others, and declined to answer questions raised by people in the computer security industry stating that he was bound by [[non-disclosure agreement]]s.<ref name=Karlin/>

O'Brien claims to have "come up with a definition for a famous Artificial Intelligence dilemma known as the 'frame problem.'"<ref>{{cite web | url=https://scorpioncomputerservices.com/the-wizard.html}}</ref>. The [[frame problem]] was actually defined by John McCarthy and Patrick J. Hayes in 1969.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 23:08, 20 March 2015

This article is about the CEO of Scorpion Computer Services and executive producer of the Scorpion TV series. For the Massachusetts candidate, see Walter A. O'Brien.
Walter O’Brien
Born (1975-02-24) February 24, 1975 (age 49)
County Wexford, Ireland
NationalityIrish
Alma mater
OccupationCEO of Scorpion Computer Services
Known for
  • Founder and CEO of Scorpion Computer Services
  • Inspiration for the television series Scorpion
TelevisionScorpion
Walter O'Brien (left) with Nicholas Wootton at the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con International Scorpion panel

Walter O'Brien (born February 24, 1975[1]) is the inspiration for the 2014 CBS television series Scorpion.[2][3][4] He is also the founder and CEO of Scorpion Computer Services. The authenticity of his claims has been the subject of speculation in the press.

Early life

O'Brien was born in 1975 on a farm in County Wexford, Ireland.[5] He is the second child of a family of five.[5] After receiving his leaving certificate from St Kieran's College in Kilkenny, O’Brien claims to have scored over 190 on an IQ test administered by one of his teachers in primary school, but did not keep the paperwork.[6][7][8] He began teaching himself computer science at age 12, when he received his first computer–an Amstrad CPC 464–which was purchased from proceeds from livestock given to him by his father.[9] O’Brien attended the University of Sussex, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and artificial intelligence.[5][10][11] O'Brien gained entry as a permanent resident to the United States via an EB-1-1 visa granted by the United States Embassy in Dublin, Ireland in 2001.[2][11]

O'Brien competed in the Wisconsin International Computer Problem Solving Competition in 1991 and 1992 and led the first Irish team to compete at the 1993 International Olympiad in Informatics, which was held in Mendoza, Argentina.[12]

Career

O'Brien founded Scorpion Computer Services in 1988 and serves as its CEO.[13][10][11][14] He also serves as Chief Scientist at Langford & Carmichael,[15] a strategic business consultancy and veteran run small business.[citation needed] He also developed ScenGen (Scenario Generator),[15][16] which won CONNECT's 2011 "Most Innovative Product of the Year" in the "Aerospace and Security Technologies" category.[17][18] ScenGen is a scenario generator that can generate a number of possible results for any given situation according to user-inputted variables and relationships.[11] The program is used by organizations in multiple industries, including defense and financial services.[19]

O'Brien is the founder of ConciergeUp, a think tank of geniuses that execute "funded wishes."[20] According to the Daily Mail, examples of funded wishes include predicting winners of horse races by analyzing the racehorses' DNA and finding out whether the fiancee of a billionaire's son is after the family fortune.[20] O'Brien also serves on the advisory board for LawLoop.com, a cloud-based law firm management platform.[21]

O'Brien has been interviewed by KTTV Fox 11 about the video forensics techniques employed during the investigation of the Boston Marathon bombings to digest large amounts of video content.[22]

O'Brien has spoken at numerous events, including The Founder Institute,[23] Lido Consulting's Family Office Investment Symposium,[24] the Family Office Association's Global Spring Summit,[25] and LawLoop.com's LegalTech 2012 conference.[21]

Scorpion

In September 2014, CBS premiered the first season of drama series Scorpion, which is based on O’Brien’s life experiences.[2][3][4] O’Brien serves as an executive producer for the series, and regularly contributes to story development.[26] In his role in story development, O’Brien consults with series writers on technical aspects of the plot, including how he would solve problems presented in the show’s scripts.[26] His input is based on his personal knowledge and life experiences.[26] O’Brien made a cameo appearance in the series’ pilot episode.[27]

CBS ordered a full season of Scorpion in October 2014 and it was renewed for a second season.[28] The show was nominated for Favorite New TV Drama at the 2014 People's Choice Awards in November of that year.[29]

Controversy

In September 2014, Mike Masnick of Techdirt wrote an article challenging the accuracy of O'Brien's biography.[30] The Irish Times next interviewed O'Brien with the subsequent article stating that "it is impossible to substantiate some claims."[8] In October 2014, Susan Karlin of Fast Company magazine wrote an article that addressed some of the skepticism over O’Brien’s biography. During the interview, O'Brien answered some of Karlin's questions, did not respond to others, and declined to answer questions raised by people in the computer security industry stating that he was bound by non-disclosure agreements.[6]

O'Brien claims to have "come up with a definition for a famous Artificial Intelligence dilemma known as the 'frame problem.'"[31]. The frame problem was actually defined by John McCarthy and Patrick J. Hayes in 1969.

References

  1. ^ "US Government - EB1-1 Certificate". Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Scorpion: How an Irish genius saved the world". The Irish Times. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  3. ^ a b Linh Bui (22 September 2014). "Real-Life Superhero Geniuses Inspire New CBS Show 'Scorpion'". Baltimore: WJZ-TV. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  4. ^ a b "New CBS series about Irish genius with higher IQ than Albert Einstein". IrishCentral. 11 August 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  5. ^ a b c Keegan, Niamh (23 August 2014). "The Scorpion". New Ross Standard. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  6. ^ a b Karlin, Susan (15 October 2014). "Hackers vs. Scorpion: Walter O'Brien Responds To Scrutiny Of Real-Life Claims Fueling TV's 'Scorpion'". Fast Company. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  7. ^ Schwiff, Kathy (11 September 2014). "CBS Drama 'Scorpion' Takes Stories From Computer Genius's Life, Work". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  8. ^ a b Brian Boyd (4 October 2014). "Scorpion: Walter O'Brien on his life off-screen". The Irish Times. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  9. ^ Hayes, Carmel. "Computer whizz kid breaks new ground".[full citation needed]
  10. ^ a b Morabito, Andrea (September 21, 2014). "'Scorpion' set to get high-tech on CBS". New York Post. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  11. ^ a b c d Hertz, Kayla (17 September 2014). "Wexford-born genius Walter O'Brien chats about the new CBS show on his life". IrishCentral. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  12. ^ Tiernan, Damien (14 October 1993). "Walter is leading the Irish team in the Info. Olympics". New Ross Standard.
  13. ^ Kayla Hertz (September 17, 2014). "Wexford-born genius Walter O'Brien chats about the new CBS show on his life". Irish Central. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
  14. ^ Susan Karlin. "How the real hacker behind CBS'S "Scorpion made as how to grow his own company, and more hackers". Fast Company. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  15. ^ a b "Walter O'Brien, Chief Scientist". Langford and Carmichael.
  16. ^ "ScenGen: Scenario Generator, 'Every Move', A Scientific Approach to System Test" (PDF). Langford and Carmichael. 2011. ScenGen is a unique software program that can generate all possible scenarios for a given situation at a very high speed
  17. ^ "Connect Announces San Diego's Most Innovative New Products of 2011" (PDF). Connect. December 9, 2011.
  18. ^ "2011 CONNECT MIP Award Winner, Aerospace and Security Technologies". Langford and Carmichael.
  19. ^ Suzanne Lynch (27 January 2012). "High speed software puts firm on fast track". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  20. ^ a b Catherine Fegan (16 August 2014). "Meet the Geeky Wexford farm boy who became the Sherlock Holmes of the computer age". Irish Daily Mail.
  21. ^ a b "LawLoop.com Expands the Cloud to Offer a Complete Solution for Lawyers" (Press release). LawLoop. Business Wire. 30 January 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2014. Expert panel members include Walter O'Brien, one of the world's leading authorities in the application of computer science and artificial intelligence that solve industry challenges. O'Brien also serves on the LawLoop Advisory Board...
  22. ^ DeSocio, Jeffrey Thomas (13 May 2013). "The Tech Behind the Capture of the Boston Bombing Suspects". Los Angeles: KTTV. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  23. ^ "Spring 2011 Los Angeles". The Founder Institute. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  24. ^ "Walter O'Brien". Lido Consulting. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  25. ^ "2014 FOA Spring Global Summit: Keynote Walter O'Brien". YouTube. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  26. ^ a b c Goldberg, Lesley (22 September 2014). "'Scorpion': What Happens When a Certified Genius Crashes the Writers Room?". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  27. ^ "10 Things We Learned from the Scorpion Panel at Comic-Con 2014". CBS News. 25 July 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  28. ^ Bucksbaum, Sydney (27 October 2014). "CBS Give Full-Season Orders to All 4 of Its New Drama Series: Scorpion, NCIS: New Orleans and More". E!. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  29. ^ Nuzhat Naoreen (4 November 2014). "People's Choice Awards 2015: Full List of Nominees". People's Choice. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  30. ^ Masnick, Mike (25 September 2014). "Another Story of a 'Fake' Brilliant Inventor? Is 'Scorpion Walter O'Brien' a Real Computer Security Genius?". Techdirt. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  31. ^ https://scorpioncomputerservices.com/the-wizard.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

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