October 20, 2015 // Local

Computer genius Walter O’Brien speaks to students

Walter O’Brien stands at the center the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School Starbase 2.0 students. Also pictured are Starbase teachers and officials.

By Corine Erlandson

FORT WAYNE —Walter O’Brien, IQ genius and computer expert, spoke at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School to fifth through eighth graders, including students of the Starbase 2.0 program, on Oct. 16,

Walter O’Brien is the CEO of Scorpion Computer Services and also co-producer of the CBS dramatic series “Scorpion,” based on his life story. Born in Ireland, O’Brien was 13 years old when he hacked into NASA computers. He later hacked into the Bank of England’s computers.

O’Brien attended high school and college and put his high intelligence and computer knowledge to productive use by founding Scorpion Computer Services, which is a think tank and consulting business. Scorpion provides intelligence to business and governmental organizations. The company applies computer science and artificial intelligence to solving problems that client organizations have, such as preventing computer hacking.

O’Brien gave some examples of the work his company does. In Baghdad, Iraq, Scorpion Computer Services was able to detect someone planting an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) by using photography and GPS to find and retrieve the device.

O’Brien also gave examples of how Scorpion Computer Services is developing artificial intelligence robots. He showed an example of “Big Dog” or an animal-like robot that can carry a soldier’s heavy supplies over rough terrain and not get knocked over.

O’Brien spoke to the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton students and also some of their family members, as it was “Generations Day” when grandparents and other relatives visit the school. O’Brien’s talk was followed by a question-and-answer session.

Walter O’Brien’s visit and talk was sponsored by Stryke Industries and Starbase Indiana that promotes programs in schools that teach STEM concepts (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) to students. The day before, O’Brien was the keynote speaker at the Northeast Indiana Defense Industry Association conference. After the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School talk, O’Brien was planning to visit Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne.

 

* * *

The best news. Delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe to our mailing list today.