- Palantir CEO Alex Karp believes there is an AI race and the only question is: “Do we keep the lead or do we surrender the lead?”
- Karp says the most important event in this race is not the large language models, but the use of AI-powered technology on the battlefield.
Palantir headquarters in Palo Alto, California, USA, Wednesday, May 10, 2023.
David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Palantir boss Alex Karp opposes the idea of a moratorium on artificial intelligence research, in contrast to an open letter from the Future of Life Institute signed by several big names in the tech industry. .
The letter has more than 31,000 signatures, including names like Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, and supports tools like ChatGPT. Called for a moratorium on AI research on models larger than GPT-4.
“If such a moratorium cannot be enacted quickly, governments should intervene and take moratorium measures,” the letter said.
“A lot of people asking for a moratorium are asking for a moratorium because they don’t have a product,” Karp said in an interview with BBC Radio that aired on Thursday.
He added on condition of anonymity that the reason is “because people who have nothing to offer want to study AI,” but the standstill could lead to adversaries taking the initiative in commercial as well as military applications. I added that there is.
For him, “research this so others can win both in commercial areas and on the battlefield” is a very bad strategy.
When asked if he wanted an “AI race” similar to the Cold War-era arms race, Karp replied, “The AI arms race already exists and we’re just ahead.” only said. [and] The AI race will not stop if we slow down. ”
He pointed out that the “most important event” in the race was not the large-scale language models like GPT-4, but how AI has been used in military applications.
Karp said the Ukrainian military is using Palantir’s technology to gain a technological advantage over the invading Russian forces. A December 2022 Times report revealed that Palantir’s AI improved artillery accuracy, speed and punctuality despite Ukraine’s relatively small artillery force. Palantir sells software that helps government and private sector organizations analyze large amounts of data.
The arrival of this AI-powered software on the battlefield “just poses a challenge to every country in the world,” Karp said.In addition, “especially [to] Our enemies cannot afford to give us this advantage. And then the race begins. It’s just a matter of whether we stay ahead or we give up the lead.”
