Canadian outlets pull columns after suspecting AI-generated author Daniel Robson

Canadian media outlets have withdrawn opinion pieces written under the name Daniel Robson after failing to substantiate his claimed identity as one outlet journalist from Montreal. Policy Options removed a piece published last year, citing an inability to confirm his biographical information, while the Ottawa Citizen pulled three of his columns following similar doubts. The investigation began when Turkiye Today received a pitch from Robson about a alleged drug network linking Turkey and Canada and, after a refusal to join a video call, grew suspicious of his authenticity.

Subsequent analysis of his X profile picture and writing suggested AI generation, and attempts to contact him were rebuffed. As a result, the Hub, Open Canada, Western Standard and one outlet also deleted his articles, and the Gazette announced enhanced verification procedures. The episode highlights growing challenges for newsrooms in detecting AI-created personas and ensuring source credibility.