Discussion with Palentir's Shyam Sankar on defense tech post-9/11, AI in the battlefield, and future of defense technology. Exploring Silicon Valley's perception shift, Palantir's origins, and the balance between security and civil liberties in fighting terrorism.

Shyam Sankar, Palantir CTO, discusses the broken incentive structure of government defense buying, the impact of conflict and elections on governments' buying process, and the challenges of hiring the best talent. He also emphasizes the importance of creativity over process, the need for reevaluation of defense spending, and the role of AI in solving institutional problems.

Can frontiers as high-stakes as next-generation, AI-enabled defense depend on something as mundane as data integration? Can "large language models" work in such mission critical applications? In this episode of No Priors, hosts Sarah Guo and Elad Gil are joined by Shyam Sankar, the Chief Technical Officer of Palantir Technologies and inventor of their famous Forward Deployed Engineering force.Early employee and longtime leader Shyam explains the evolution of technology at Palantir, from ontology and data integration to process visualization and now AI. He describes how a company of Palantir's scale has adopted foundation models and shares customer stories. They discuss the case for open source AI models fine-tuned on private, domain-specific data, and the challenges of anchoring AI models in reality.Show Links: Shyam Sankar - Chief Technical Officer - Palantir Technologies | LinkedIn   Palantir Sign up for new podcasts every week. Email feedback to show@no-priors.comFollow us on Twitter: @NoPriorsPod | @Saranormous | @EladGil | @ssankarShow Notes: [0:00:00] - Palantir's CTO Discusses Company's Background[0:10:17] - Apollo and AIP[0:20:25] - Future of UI and Application Integration[0:28:29] - Investment in Co-Pilot Models and Education[0:31:22] - Exploring AI Implementation in Various Industries[0:38:19] - Operational and Analytical Workflows in Context

Shyam Sankar, Chief Technology Officer at Palantir Technologies, shares his insights on defense technology and acquisition challenges. He critiques the Pentagon's outdated procurement processes, emphasizing the need for agility and collaboration. Highlighting the disconnect between corporate leadership and frontline realities, he discusses how software innovation is paramount for future warfare. Sankar also celebrates both established heroes and lesser-known innovators who defy convention in the defense sector, advocating for a shift towards software-driven military strategies.

Palantir's CTO discusses the power of ontology, AI integration, and Large Language Models (LLMs). They explore how Palantir's platform solves varied industry problems, expedites Generative AI, and operationalizes AI beyond chat interfaces. The podcast also touches on the unique culture at Palantir and the exploration of AI in biology and the financial market.

Shyam Sankar, Palantir’s CTO and author of the 18 Theses, discusses transformative strategies for the U.S. industrial base. He emphasizes the need for systemic change beyond mere improvements, advocating for increased competition in defense akin to the commercial sector. The conversation critiques current procurement practices and highlights the importance of empowered leadership in driving innovation. Sankar also explores the balancing act between legacy and new companies, stressing that exceptional leadership can often determine the success of defense technology projects.

Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar discusses software-defined warfare, defense modernization, and innovation in defense software. Topics include Palantir's lawsuit against the Army, leadership mentalities, culture, and history. The conversation touches on the urgency of innovation, challenges in security clearances, and the shift towards software-defined warfare in defense acquisition.

Shyam Sankar, CTO of Palantir Technologies, is shaking up the backend with innovative strategies derived from overseeing 150 independent development teams. He shares fascinating insights linking French restaurant management to engineer-led sales approaches. The conversation dives into the distinction between 'artists' and 'hackers' in engineering, while also addressing the importance of data-driven decisions and the power of meritocracy in tech. Shyam advocates for reducing information asymmetry, ensuring diversity and creativity thrive in organizations.

Shyam Sankar from Palantir discusses the Biden administration's executive order on AI, changing Pentagon business practices, working with founder-driven companies, speeding up tech development, and tackling growing threats. Exploring perspectives on AI regulation, misconceptions around drone exports, monopsonies in defense procurement, balancing traditional manufacturing with software, and overcoming bureaucratic acquisition processes to reward innovation.

Shyam Sankar, Chief Technology Officer at Palantir, Mike Gallagher, former congressman and current Distinguished Fellow, and Nadia Schadlow, former deputy national security advisor, delve into the future of American foreign policy. They discuss the pressing need for defense reforms in light of rising global tensions, emphasizing effective competition with China. The conversation navigates hybrid warfare tactics, strategizing a strong American response, and the importance of revitalizing innovation within the defense industry to ensure national security in a rapidly changing world.