This Week in Startups

Mission Over Money & The State of Defense Tech with Palantir's Shyam Sankar | E1908

Mar 4, 2024

Shyam Sankar, CTO of Palantir and a key player in counterterrorism, dives into the importance of technology in defense strategies. He discusses how the U.S. has managed to prevent terrorist attacks since 9/11, highlighting the role of innovative data integration. The conversation touches on the impact of AI and robotics on the battlefield and the future of defense tech, emphasizing the delicate balance between automation and human oversight. He also addresses challenges in data collection and the complexities of modern warfare amid changing geopolitical landscapes.

01:06:30

Creator website

Episode guests

Shyam Sankar

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The Uda Loop emphasizes rapid decision-making in military operations through observe, orient, decide, act steps.

Palantir evolved from reluctance towards defense tech to aiding national security with data analysis.

Integration of AI and robotics enhances military efficiency, emphasizing the use of language models for data analysis.

Deep dives

Importance of Uda Loop in Military Tactics

The Uda Loop, developed by Colonel John Boyd, emphasizes the key steps of observe, orient, decide, act in military decision-making. The speed at which one can go through this loop is crucial for success, initially applied in dogfighting with airplanes. Rapid decision-making through the Uda Loop determines victory, highlighting the need for adaptability in developing strategies and technologies.

Integrating Legacy for Modern Insight

01:13

Efficiency of AI in Warranty Claims Analysis

01:11

Strategic Focus on Defense Tech and Space

03:06

Rising Threats and Defense Strategy Evolution

03:01

Intro

3min

Palantir: From Disinterest to Defense Collaboration

7min

Navigating Growth Challenges and Historical Lessons

2min

The Evolution of Palantir's Gotham Platform

7min

The Evolution of Data Collection in Modern Warfare

3min

The Future of Warfare: AI and Technology on the Battlefield

8min

Navigating AI Adoption: Insights and Innovations

2min

Pragmatic Innovations in Technology

7min

Augmented Reality and Modern Warfare

17min

10.

Geopolitical Shifts in Space Defense

11min

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Todays show:

Jason joins Palantir's Shyam Sankar to discuss how the US has avoided another terrorist attack since 9/11 (7:59), the role of AI and robotics in the battlefield (22:34), the future of defense tech (53:48), and more!

Timestamps:

(0:00) Jason joins Shyam Sankar of Palantir. (3:04) - Silcon valley’s shift in perception around defense tech and Palantir. (5:09) - Palentir being born out of 9/11 and the realization of the countries vulnerabilities. (7:59) How the US has managed to avoid another terrorist attack and what role Palantir's products played. (9:33) NetSuite - Download your free KPI Checklist at http://www.NetSuite.com/twist (10:48) One major failure regarding 9/11 attack. (11:55) The Gotham Platform: Palantir's first product and how it borrowed from PayPal. (18:12) The most valuable role software could play in defense tech. (18:57) Northwest Registered Agent - Get a 60% discount on your next LLC at - ⁠https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist⁠ (19:52) How defense tech data collection has changed over the years. (22:34) The role of AI and robotics play in the battlefield. (29:22) Imagine AI LIVE - Get 20% off tickets at http://www.imagineai.live/twist (30:38) The autopilot approach of LLMs at Palantir and the analogy of self-driving cars. (33:28) Palantir's huge early wins with AI integration. (38:01) The defense potential of LLMs and real time interpretation in the field. (39:51) The importance of RF in the modern battlefield. (45:32) Discussing Putin’s serious threat. (48:54) How the defense industrial base was managed and consolidated after WWII (53:48) The future of defense tech, the speed of innovation and enemy adaptation.

Check out Palantir Technologies: https://www.palantir.com/

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X: https://twitter.com/ssankar

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shyamsankar/

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Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

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