Part 3/9:
Palantir's mission has been to solve practical and sophisticated problems, primarily in national security and commercial sectors. Its original software product sought to reconcile databases to identify terrorists without infringing on civil rights—a duality that Karp argues is essential for a just society.
Despite the backlash from the tech community for collaborating with the U.S. government and defense sectors, Palantir's approach is built upon core principles: meritocracy, support for free markets, and a commitment to national security. Karp attributes their success not to blind ambition but rather a deliberate effort to reframe operational activities for a dangerous world.