The Global Story How Palantir became indispensable
13 snips
Jan 30, 2026 
Michael Steinberger, journalist and author of The Philosopher in the Valley, breaks down Palantir and Alex Karp’s rise from philosophy student to tech CEO. He explains the company’s secretive CIA roots and its expansion into government, healthcare, AI and wartime support. The conversation covers controversies around surveillance, political ties, protests and Palantir’s rapid pivot into AI.
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What Palantir Actually Does
- Palantir builds software that lets organizations pool their own data and spot patterns far faster than humans alone.
- Michael Steinberger likens its interface to a digital detective board that connects disparate datasets.
Bin Laden Claim Boosted Mystique
- A book claimed Palantir helped locate Osama bin Laden, which boosted the company's mystique.
- The unproven claim nonetheless gave Palantir massive credibility and public fear of its power.
Guardrails Don’t Equal Control
- Palantir builds guardrails into its software but does not control client usage or monitor abuses.
- Steinberger warns the company assumes clients follow laws, so misuse can occur without Palantir's knowledge.
