‘Technofascism’: Critics accuse Palantir of pushing AI war doctrine

Palantir CEO Alexander Karp's book 'The Technological Republic' argues that leading US tech firms have a 'moral debt' to the US, which needs 'hard power' fueled by cutting-edge software to maintain global dominance. The book contends that future deterrence will be based on AI, not nuclear power, and that US adversaries will not hesitate to build AI weapons. Critics, including academics and commentators, have sharply criticized the book's framing, describing it as 'technofascism' and warning of the dangers of AI-powered killer robots. They argue that Palantir's ideology could lead to a 'destructive clash-of-civilisations crusade' and that the company's motivation is both commercial and ideological. Palantir has multibillion-dollar contracts with US government agencies and partnerships with foreign governments, including Israel's military. The company's summary of the book also argues that the US and its Western partners should resist 'a vacant and hollow pluralism', claiming that some cultures have produced vital advances while others remain dysfunctional.