Canadian Media Remove Articles by Suspected AI-Generated Writer

Summary

Several Canadian websites and news outlets, including Policy Options, the Ottawa Citizen, the Montreal Gazette and the Western Standard, removed articles published under the name Daniel Robson after they could not verify that he was a real person. Robson had presented himself as an independent Montreal journalist covering extremism, terrorism, cybercrime and national security, and had been published by several outlets. Policy Options said its vetting did not establish his identity or the accuracy of his biography, while the Ottawa Citizen said its investigation found that he “does not seem to be a real person.” The case drew wider attention after Robson pitched Turkiye Today a story about an alleged drug network involving Turkey, Canada and a Moroccan-Canadian businessman. The editor who investigated the pitch said Robson refused a video call, became agitated when asked for supporting information and later warned of repercussions. The Ottawa Citizen said online analysis tools indicated that Robson’s headshot and submitted writing appeared AI-generated; CBC reported that an analysis of the same profile image also found it likely AI-created. A possible connection to Morocco was suggested by the Turkish editor, and The Globe and Mail reported that Robson’s email had been used to register a Moroccan Microsoft account, but CBC could not independently verify that link or reach Robson. The episode has prompted affected outlets to strengthen contributor-identification and verification procedures.