Tuesday briefing: Palantir’s rise – and why so many oppose its role in the British state
Summary
Palantir, a US data analytics company founded by Peter Thiel in 2003, has grown rapidly and works with many clients worldwide, including the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and the US military. The company uses AI software to analyze large amounts of data but faces criticism and controversy over its role and ethics.Key Facts
- Palantir was founded by Peter Thiel, a tech billionaire and ally of President Donald Trump, after 9/11.
- The company uses AI-driven software to analyze complex data for clients like the NHS, US military, and Israeli military.
- Palantir’s business value is about $375 billion.
- It has contracts worth around £600 million with UK government agencies, including the Ministry of Defence and police forces.
- London’s mayor Sadiq Khan blocked a £50 million deal between Palantir and the Metropolitan Police due to concerns about company values.
- Critics argue that Palantir’s work raises moral and ethical questions about surveillance and data use.
- Palantir’s name comes from a “seeing stone” in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, symbolizing observation and control.
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