[Cambridge, MA] A group of computer science students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are positively glued to the GOP Primary process. That is because one of the candidates is their graduate thesis project in a modern twist on the Turing test.

“We thought if you could convince Americans to nominate a robot for the Presidency, that would prove the time of A.I. was upon us.”

But that plan has been interrupted by a software bug that appeared during the most recent debate. It caused the android to get stuck in a talking point loop, even more so than flesh and blood politicians usually do.

“Chris Christie may think it was his relentless pressure that caused it, but it was really due to a poorly-timed operating system update.”

The group is divided on whether their experiment will succeed, and the reasons for why it could fail. Some think his obviously fake skin will cause people not to vote for him due to the ‘uncanny valley’ effect. Others say the problem is that the simulant is not mean enough to stand out.

“We keep reducing the compassion parameter in his character algorithm, but it never seems to be enough.”

When asked if they’re behaving irresponsibly as it’s possible their could end up the Republican nominee, they are not worried.

“At least a robot can be reprogrammed. Not so with Trump or Cruz.”