Walter O'Brien

Walter O'Brien: The Information Technologist Behind "Scorpion"

Walter O'Brien is an Irish businessman and information technologist known for his self-reported childhood IQ of 197 and his role as executive producer and loose inspiration for the CBS television series "Scorpion." His claims and accomplishments have been subject to scrutiny and debate regarding their accuracy and verifiability.

Early Life and Background

#### Childhood and Education

Walter O'Brien was born on February 24, 1975, to Larry and Charlotte O'Brien in Clonroche, County Wexford, Ireland. The second of five children, he grew up on a farm. He attended St. Patrick's National School in Clonroche until his family relocated to Rosshaven when he was 13 years old, where he then attended St. Mary's Christian Brothers School in Enniscorthy.

O'Brien has claimed that he scored a 197 on an IQ test administered by one of his teachers in primary school, though he states he did not keep the documentation.

[Video: Walter O'Brien Interview - CBS Scorpion]

Critics have questioned this claim, noting that childhood IQ scores are scaled differently than adult scores and that he has not retaken the test through an official organization like Mensa for verification.

#### Early Interest in Computers

According to the New Ross Standard, a local newspaper in O'Brien's home county, his interest in computers began when his primary school started offering computer courses. His father gave him livestock as payment for farm chores, which O'Brien sold to purchase an Amstrad personal computer at age nine, around 1984. Other sources indicate his interest began when he was 12 years old, when his parents bought him a computer.

O'Brien has stated that at age thirteen, around 1988, he hacked into NASA under the pseudonym "Scorpion." According to an interview with Silicon Republic, an Irish technology news website, O'Brien claims that the NSA, through Interpol, appeared at his home following the hack. He reportedly told the agents he would help demonstrate vulnerabilities in their network in exchange for not facing legal consequences.

[Video: The Real Scorpion Documentary]

However, the French tabloid Telestar reported that there is no record of the alleged NASA hack. Technology journalist Mike Masnick noted that the United States Department of Homeland Security—which was shown surrounding O'Brien's family home in the television series "Scorpion"—did not exist at the time of the alleged hack, raising significant credibility questions.

#### Programming Competition

O'Brien was a member of the Irish team that participated in the 1993 International Olympiad in Informatics computer coding competition. According to university records, his team finished 90th place out of 250 competing teams.

Career Development

#### Scorpion Computer Services Foundation

O'Brien has claimed that he founded Scorpion Computer Services at age 13 in 1988. The Irish Times reported that he brought the company with him to the United States in the late 1990s after graduating from the University of Sussex with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and artificial intelligence.

The service evolved from IT tutoring into security and risk management services. By 2014, O'Brien described his company as a think tank for "high IQ individuals." In 2018, Jane's Defence Weekly reported that the U.S. Army was using Scorpion's artificial intelligence tool, ScenGen, on its unmanned aerial systems.

O'Brien articulates a nuanced stance on IQ, suggesting that extremely high intelligence can become limiting rather than advantageous. He has stated: "Once an individual's IQ reaches 150 or above, it ceases to be a mere ability and can turn into a disability."

[Image Gallery: Technology Innovation & Cybersecurity Visuals]

#### Additional Business Ventures

O'Brien serves as Chief Scientist at Langford & Carmichael, a veteran-run business consultancy firm. He also founded Scorpion Studios, a movie-production company that leverages his expertise in creating convincing visual effects and technology representations for film and television.

Controversial Claims and Scrutiny

#### Boston Marathon Bombing

A month after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, Fox 11 LA-KTTV Los Angeles reported that O'Brien's company, Scorpion Computer Services, Inc., had developed video-analysis software similar to that used by the FBI to apprehend the bombers.

Technology journalist Mike Masnick characterized this as one of many "bogus" claims about O'Brien by CBS. Asher Langton, a security intelligence engineer, stated that O'Brien offered conflicting narratives about his contributions to catching the bombers and that the use of facial recognition software in the manner reported was implausible. O'Brien cited non-disclosure agreements when questioned about the discrepancies.

#### CBS Television Series "Scorpion"

According to O'Brien, he conceived the idea for a television show to promote his company Scorpion Computer Services and its service Concierge Up. He contacted producer Scooter Braun, who pitched the concept to CBS.

In September 2014, CBS premiered the first season of the drama series "Scorpion," based on O'Brien's alleged life experiences. O'Brien serves as an executive producer and contributes to story development by consulting with series writers on technical aspects of the plot. For the role of Walter O'Brien, actor Elyes Gabel consulted directly with O'Brien on character development.

The first season attracted more than 26 million viewers. CBS ordered a full season in October 2014 and renewed the series for a second season in 2015. The show was renewed for a third season in 2016, with a fourth season confirmed for 2017. In March 2017, CBS renewed the series for season 4. The show was ultimately cancelled after four seasons in May 2018.

Notably, the National Science Teachers Association advised educators in 2015 to use "Scorpion" as an example of incorrect or exaggerated science.

Questions About Accuracy

#### 2014 Media Scrutiny

In 2014, technology publications including CNET, Techdirt, and Fast Company evaluated CBS's claims about O'Brien's accomplishments following questions raised by Fast Company journalist Susan Karlin. The Irish Times concluded that "it is impossible to substantiate some claims."

[Video: Scorpion TV Series Trailer]

When Karlin followed up with O'Brien, he answered some questions but repeatedly cited non-disclosure agreements when asked about controversial claims.

#### Company Size and Revenue Claims

Karlin reported that community-edited business directories showed Scorpion Computer Services was significantly smaller than the 2,600 employees and $1.3 billion in annual revenues claimed in the original article. For example, a 2014 entry on Credibility.com listed Scorpion Computer Services as having 1 employee with $66,000 in annual revenue.

Karlin noted that community-edited business directory data may be unreliable, and O'Brien countered that the majority of his company consists of independent contractors working remotely. This discrepancy remains a point of contention.

#### IQ Score Verification

Multiple sources have questioned O'Brien's IQ claims:

• Techdirt and The Irish Times noted that childhood IQ scores are age-scaled and do not directly compare to adult intelligence assessments
• Mike Masnick pointed out that O'Brien's name does not appear on any verified "top IQ" lists despite using his childhood score as part of his marketing
• Susan Karlin questioned why O'Brien had not retaken an IQ test through Mensa for official verification if he was confident in his intelligence claims

Recognition and Media Appearances

Despite controversies surrounding his claims, O'Brien has received significant media attention and maintains a prominent profile in technology and media circles. The "Scorpion" television series brought him mainstream recognition and cemented his position as a public figure in the technology and entertainment industries.

Summary

Walter O'Brien remains a controversial figure whose actual accomplishments are difficult to verify independently. While his role in founding and developing Scorpion Computer Services is documented, many of his more sensational claims—including the NASA hack, his involvement in the Boston Marathon bombing investigation, and his company's size and revenues—have not been substantiated and are disputed by independent sources and journalists.

Achievements

• Founded Scorpion Computer Services, evolving from IT tutoring to security and risk management
• Executive producer and loose inspiration for CBS drama series "Scorpion" (2014-2018)
• Member of Irish team in 1993 International Olympiad in Informatics competition
• Developed artificial intelligence tool ScenGen reportedly used by U.S. Army on unmanned aerial systems
• Chief Scientist at Langford & Carmichael veteran-run business consultancy
• Founder of Scorpion Studios movie production company
• Claimed participant in advising FBI on Boston Marathon bombing investigation (disputed)
• First season of "Scorpion" attracted over 26 million viewers
• Series renewed for 4 seasons on CBS (2014-2018)
• Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence from University of Sussex