Technological Cold War. AI increasingly close to the military and special services

The technological landscape is rapidly shifting, marking the dawn of a new era where artificial intelligence, not nuclear power, will define global deterrence. This profound transformation was articulated by Palantir CEO Alex Karp in a recent ideological manifesto, which has sent ripples through both political and technological spheres.

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The question is not whether AI-powered weapons will be built; the question is who will build them and for what purpose. Our opponents will not hesitate, indulging in theatrical debates about the merits of developing technologies of crucial military and national security importance. They will act.

Karp's bold assertion that the "atomic era is ending" and an "AI-driven era of deterrence is just beginning" underscores the critical importance of software in shaping future military capabilities. He argues that for democratic societies to prevail, they must embrace "hard power" built on advanced technology, rather than getting bogged down in theoretical debates. This perspective positions Palantir as a key player in the race to develop and deploy AI for national security, a race Karp believes adversaries are actively participating in without hesitation.

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If the American Marines ask for a better rifle, we should build it; the same applies to software.

This technological cold war is already manifesting on the battlefield. AI's role in military operations, from drone strikes in Ukraine to operations in Venezuela and Iran, is becoming increasingly evident. As these technologies advance, they inevitably raise complex ethical questions, particularly concerning autonomous weapons. Palantir's clear alignment with American technological dominance, as expressed in Karp's manifesto, has drawn sharp criticism from figures like Russian propagandist Aleksandr Dugin, who labeled the book "techno-fascism," highlighting the geopolitical tensions inherent in this AI arms race.

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The atomic era is ending. One era of deterrence—the atomic era—is ending, and a new era of deterrence built on artificial intelligence is just beginning.