Palantir CEO Advocates for AI Weapons and National Service

In a notable 22-point manifesto, Palantir’s CEO, Alex Karp, urged the U.S. to prioritize the development of AI-driven weapons, reinstate conscription, and reject what he termed a “regressive” culture.

Karp’s 1,000-word post on X—summing up his forthcoming book, *The Technological Republic*—explores how tech giants and the government should navigate the evolving landscape shaped by artificial intelligence. Palantir noted they shared this perspective in response to frequent inquiries.

“The focus should not be on whether AI weapons will exist, but rather on who creates them and why,” the post outlined. “Our competitors are not going to debate the ethics of advancing technologies that serve crucial military and national security purposes. They will advance without hesitation.”

Alongside Palantir executive Nicholas Zamiska, Karp contended that national service should be a fundamental responsibility for every American, advocating for mandatory military service as a consideration.

“As a community, we ought to think about moving away from an entirely volunteer military. We should be prepared to face the realities of war if we all share the associated risks and burdens,” they expressed.

Palantir executives criticized the current societal trend towards what they described as a “dysfunctional and regressive culture,” pushing back against the “hollow appeal of empty pluralism.”

“For decades, we in America and other Western nations have hesitated to define our cultural identity in the name of inclusivity,” they noted.

The manifesto also reflected on the shifting geopolitical landscape, suggesting that democracies can no longer depend solely on “soft power” to maintain international order. Palantir posited that we are approaching “the end of the nuclear age,” giving way to “a fresh era of deterrence focused on AI.”

Additionally, Karp and Zamiska commented on post-World War II policies, indicating that the “restrictions placed on Germany and Japan” should be reconsidered.

“Germany’s assertiveness has led to adverse consequences for Europe,” they stated. “If Japan continues with its performative approach to pacifism, it could disrupt the power dynamics in Asia.”

Amid these discussions, Palantir’s stock declined by about 1% during trading on Monday.

Karp, who is 58, co-founded Palantir in 2003 with billionaire Peter Thiel and has maintained strong ties with the Trump administration, collaborating with both the military and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Before transitioning to the tech sector, Karp pursued an unconventional path, earning a doctorate in neoclassical social theory from Goethe University in Germany. Earlier this year, he stirred discussions by stating that AI could “destroy” jobs for those with humanities degrees while enhancing opportunities for professionals in other fields.