Alex Karp, CEO of the rapidly expanding Palantir Technologies, suggests that there’s minimal need for large-scale immigration to the U.S. as artificial intelligence boosts productivity significantly.
“I think it’s tough to see why we would need mass immigration unless we’re looking at very specialized skills,” he mentioned to a select crowd at the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
He noted that technology could replace a significant number of white-collar positions, stating, “There will be plenty of jobs for our workforce, particularly for those in vocational training.”
This brings some relief to countless American college graduates whose career opportunities have been impacted by the influx of primarily Indian H-1B visa workers. Such imported labor has, in many cases, pushed American professionals aside, fostering a hidden economy enriched by American and Indian executives that hampers innovation and misleads shareholders.
Karp asserted that even with the rise of AI in handling white-collar jobs, intelligent individuals will continue to succeed.
For instance, the individual overseeing our company’s Maybin intelligence system is a former police officer and U.S. Army veteran who graduated from a junior college. They carry out complex targeting initiatives globally, and that person is truly irreplaceable. In earlier times, methods of aptitude testing wouldn’t have uncovered someone’s unique talents. Would they have been as skilled without a college education?
Karp believes that AI will be beneficial for well-managed communities, emphasizing, “The United States and China are… collaborating on a broad scale, and I envision this accelerating beyond what most think is achievable.” He added that globally, “if you picture… there will be regions thriving and others struggling.”
President Donald Trump has echoed the sentiment that technology supersedes immigration in parts of his speeches, weaving between economic support and populist appeals. For example, during a speech at Davos on January 21, he stated:
Our previously open and dangerous borders are now effectively shut, and the United States is undergoing the most remarkable economic recovery in its history. Under the Biden administration, America faced the challenges of stagflation. Stagflation combines low growth with high inflation, resulting in hardship and decline. But now, just a year after implementing my policies, we are seeing the opposite. In simpler terms, despite high economic growth, inflation is nearly nonexistent.
Many tech leaders contend that AI is set to rapidly transform various sectors, potentially displacing traditional jobs in fields like software and media. This technological shift seems to embolden some industry CEOs to speak against mass immigration.
Elon Musk has intensified his criticisms as well. He has noted issues surrounding large numbers of unskilled immigrants:
Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril Industries, commented: “There is practically an endless supply of impoverished individuals from underdeveloped nations wishing to live in the United States, which can be leveraged to advance the Democratic political strategy. Some migrants might benefit the U.S. economy, while others may not, but that’s not the crux of the matter. They will influence the future, particularly with the voting power of minorities over the majority.”
As Islamic influence rises in Western nations, skepticism around immigration is growing among CEOs. This shift in perspective has pushed some influential executives to rethink their stance on immigration.
Larry Fink, founder of BlackRock and 2026 Davos chair, expressed, “I believe that the significant beneficiaries among developed nations are those experiencing population declines.” He spoke at a 2024 pro-globalist summit hosted by the World Economic Forum in Saudi Arabia, elaborating:
This is not a topic of mainstream discussion. Historically, we have viewed depopulation as a detrimental factor for economic growth. However, conversations with leaders from developed countries—like China and Japan, which enforce anti-immigrant policies—show us that such depopulation leads to rapid advancements in robotics, AI, and technology…
If you commit to embracing innovations that enhance productivity, many of us believe that even with a declining population, a nation can still elevate the standard of living for its citizens.
Other CEOs have remarked that AI may lead to labor shortages.
The growing demands for resources are also steering tech leaders away from pro-immigration views and closer to the Republican voter base. Notably, California investor Jason Calacanis observed on January 20:
Traditionally, the tech industry has been over 85% comprised of “socially liberal moderates linked to the Democratic Party,” with a mere 15% quietly supporting Republican views. By 2026, this will likely flip, with around 70% aligning as “socially liberal moderates associated with the Republican Party.” Socially liberal moderates are now in the majority, as the Democratic Party has pushed away those who oppose DEI, ESG, socialism, and “extreme woke” ideologies. Entrepreneurs and tech innovators simply want to work, pay taxes, and focus on their projects.
Meanwhile, many progressives and their immigration advocates are urging for increased immigration.
