North Carolina Lt. Governor Mark Robinson, the current Republican candidate for governor, has vehemently denied claims made in a now-famous CNN report – he called them “salacious tabloid lies” – and Robinson accused his opponents of using AI and other digital tricks to “manufacture” false evidence against him.
He argued that these comments – such as saying he is a Black Nazi who enjoyed transgender porn – didn’t reflect his character and said in an interview that one of his adversaries had spent a million dollars to discredit him using the help of AI, Artificial Intelligence.
An expert computer programmer who’s worked for major companies for a quarter of a century told the Rhino Times this week that to alter past posts on websites that one doesn’t own or control, one would need access to the websites either with the help of high-level administrators or an extraordinary hacking effort that could break the best security systems in the industry, such as those used by Amazon or Twitter, where some of the incendiary posts – allegedly made by Robinson – occurred.
While the Nude Africa website Robinson allegedly posted to might not have top-notch security, some of the websites on which Robinson allegedly posted under the alias “minisoldr” are Amazon and X, which at the time, about 15 years ago, was known as Twitter.
The programmer noted that while undertaking such a massive effort spanning many sites might theoretically be possible, he questioned why anyone would put the incredible amount of time and resources into a takedown effort like that against a candidate who looked as though he was going to lose badly in the election anyway.
Robinson was down 11 points before the CNN report and, in the wake of it, he is trailing 17 points behind his Democratic rival Josh Stein.
“Why wouldn’t they go after a higher, more compelling target,” he said, “if someone were able to do something on this scale?”
The programmer also said that due to constant security threats to major sites, the type of top computer administrative authority, to say, change time stamps on posts, is only given to a select few. He said for instance that he had been working for his current employer for two years and was highly trusted but still does not have the credentials or the ability to alter his company’s website in a way that Robinson is claiming happened.
Chat GPT, the highly popular artificial intelligence engine, also responded that it would be an extremely, extremely, hard thing to fake.
The AI engine, when asked, stated that, “While the claims rely on matching personal details and an email, Robinson’s defense hinges on the notion that the evidence could be fabricated digitally. In theory, falsifying online identities and comments isn’t impossible, especially with AI tools, but it would be challenging to fake multiple detailed biographical links that span years, which CNN claims to have matched.”
“Given this,” Chat GPT added, “proving whether or not the evidence is entirely falsified would require a thorough forensic analysis of the digital footprints involved.”
When Chat GPT was asked why it would be so challenging to fake multiple detailed biographical links that span years, here was the Artificial Intelligence engine’s response:
Faking multiple detailed biographical links over several years would be challenging due to the complexity and consistency required in such a fabrication.
Here are the main reasons:
Digital Forensics: Online interactions leave digital footprints that are traceable across different platforms, servers, and IP addresses. It’s difficult to manipulate these traces without discrepancies. If a user’s identity (like an email address or username) is repeatedly connected to specific posts over several years, a forensic examination could track and confirm the authenticity of those connections. This would include time stamps, geographical data, and platform usage patterns.
Long-Term Consistency: Fabricating a set of posts across years requires maintaining a high level of consistency in writing style, tone, and specific personal details. If someone were trying to fake this, they would need to ensure that the posts align with known aspects of Robinson’s biography at different points in time, making it more complex than a one-off forgery.
Multiple Data Points: CNN reportedly linked Robinson to the comments using multiple biographical details and an associated email. Forgeries involving multiple layers of personal data—like matching personal events, language use, and specific life details over a long span—are harder to create without being flagged for inconsistency.
Historical Records: Websites and forums often store historical data that third parties can access. Creating a false history that goes unnoticed by these platforms, or that withstands the scrutiny of years’ worth of independent verification, would require considerable effort and precision…In Robinson’s case, CNN claims to have matched not only posts but also other personal identifiers, like his email, to create a consistent profile over years. While theoretically possible to fake such evidence with modern technology (like AI), doing so accurately and in a way that avoids detection would require immense resources and expertise.”
The good news for Robinson is that, if the CNN report is false, Robinson can launch a lawsuit against the network that will make him a multi-millionaire many times over.
