Palantir expands its influence: $100 million for US military AI technology

Palantir Technologies has won a lucrative contract from the US Department of Defense worth nearly $100 million, bringing artificial intelligence (AI) to the heart of military operations. This contract will give thousands of US soldiers access to their digital warfare platform, the Maven Smart System, and will greatly expand the possibilities of using AI for targeting on the battlefield.

Palantir Technologies $PLTR, known for its sophisticated data platforms, has become a key player in the military technology field in recent years. It has now been awarded a five-year contract to supply licenses and supporting software for the Maven Smart System, which integrates advanced machine learning and computer vision algorithms. This system enables the military to create a comprehensive picture of the battlefield that can be displayed simultaneously on thousands of screens.

The Maven system, which Palantir has co-developed since 2017, draws on a vast amount of U.S. intelligence data. It helps analyze battlefield situations and locate enemy targets using artificial intelligence from multiple vendors. This allows the US armed forces to make faster and more accurate decisions, which has been key, for example, in identifying targets for airstrikes in the Middle East.

Under this new contract, all branches of the US armed forces - Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and even the US Space Force - will gain access to the system. Until now, only select units in specific locations have had access, but that will change significantly with this expansion. Maven becomes part of the Pentagon's long-term effort to create a global interconnection of military sensors and weapons systems.

However, this development is not without controversy. Critics, including some U.N. experts, warn that the growing reliance on machine algorithms for military decision-making may lead people to blindly trust AI systems. This shift could have serious consequences if it leads to human rights violations or an uncontrollable AI-based arms race.

Despite these concerns, the U.S. military maintains that the ultimate decision on the battlefield always remains with the people. But for U.S. soldiers on the front lines or intelligence analysts working in remote locations, Maven represents a groundbreaking expansion of their capabilities. With this system, they will be able to gather and share key information in real time, which could completely change the way military operations are conducted.

The Maven system represents the future of warfare, where human capabilities and artificial intelligence work together in a constantly connected and digital world. And with this contract, Palantir becomes an indispensable player in this field, cementing its position in the defence technology sphere.

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Source: CNN, Wall Street Journal.