Palantir, the data analytics company co-founded by Peter Thiel, published a 22-point manifesto on X summarizing its positions on national service, international order, and the future of warfare, according to multiple reports. The manifesto is largely a summary of the 2025 book 'The Technological Republic' by CEO Alex Karp and Nicholas Zamiska, reports say. The document declares the atomic age over and the AI era has begun, stating that 'hard power in this century will be built on software'. It argues that AI weapons are inevitable and the US must not pause for 'theatrical debates', adding: 'The question is not whether A.I. weapons will be built; it is who will build them and for what purpose. Our adversaries will not pause to indulge in theatrical debates about the merits of developing technologies with critical military and national security applications. They will proceed.'
The manifesto makes several controversial statements about culture and geopolitics. Palantir stated that 'some cultures are dysfunctional and regressive' or 'mediocre and harmful', adding: 'Some cultures have produced vital advances; others remain dysfunctional and regressive.' It calls for an end to the 'post-war neutering' of Germany and Japan, and advocates reinstating compulsory national service in the US. The manifesto also criticizes excessive public judgment of public figures, calling for more grace: 'We should show far more grace towards those who have subjected themselves to public life.' It adds: 'The ruthless exposure of the private lives of public figures drives far too much talent away from government service.'
Some cultures have produced vital advances; others remain dysfunctional and regressive.
According to the manifesto, Apple's iPhone market dominance may limit innovation. According to a report, Alex Karp donated to Democratic presidential campaigns but also calls his company 'anti-woke'. The document criticizes the culture around billionaires: 'The culture almost snickers at Musk's interest in grand narrative, as if billionaires ought to simply stay in their lane of enriching themselves.' It also questions: 'Why take the risk of entering the moral swamp of geopolitics when you can build another app?'
Palantir has over £500 million in UK contracts, including a £330 million NHS contract and a £240 million MoD contract. According to multiple reports, Palantir's technology is used by NATO, Ukraine, and the US, including in conflicts with Iran. The company's AI and data analytics tools are deployed in military and intelligence operations.
The question is not whether A.I. weapons will be built; it is who will build them and for what purpose. Our adversaries will not pause to indulge in theatrical debates about the merits of developing technologies with critical military and national security applications. They will proceed.
The manifesto has been criticized by UK MPs. According to The Guardian - Main UK, Martin Wrigley, a Liberal Democrat MP, described the manifesto as 'a parody of a RoboCop film' and 'the ramblings of a supervillain'. He said it shows the company's ethos is 'entirely unsuited to working on UK government projects involving citizens' most sensitive private data'. According to The Guardian - Main UK, Labour MP Rachael Maskell described the post as 'quite disturbing' and suggested it reveals Palantir's commercial pitch. According to Fortune, the manifesto has garnered 32 million views on X. It remains unclear what specifically inspired Palantir to publish the manifesto at this time, and whether the UK government will review its contracts with the company in light of the criticism. The US government and military have not publicly responded to the call for reinstating the draft, and the exact nature of Palantir's AI weapons technology and its current deployment remains undisclosed. It is also unknown whether the manifesto's reception has affected Palantir's stock price or business.
Palantir's manifesto, which embraces AI state surveillance of citizens along with national service in the USA, is either a parody of a RoboCop film, or a disturbing narcissistic rant from an arrogant organisation.
Either way it shows that the company's ethos is entirely unsuited to working on UK government projects involving citizens' most sensitive private data.
To post this is quite disturbing and in trying to ascertain Palantir's commercial pitch from this, they are clearly seeking to place
We should as a country be capable of continuing a debate about the appropriateness of military action abroad while remaining unflinching in our commitment to those we have asked to step into harm's way.
We should show far more grace towards those who have subjected themselves to public life.
The ruthless exposure of the private lives of public figures drives far too much talent away from government service.
The culture almost snickers at Musk's interest in grand narrative, as if billionaires ought to simply stay in their lane of enriching themselves.
Why take the risk of entering the moral swamp of geopolitics when you can build another app?