Michael Steinberger
👤 SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
And it's been clear for some time that its technology in the hands of an authoritarian regime would be a very powerful tool.
And who gets to use Palantir's software and for what purpose is decided by one person, the company's CEO, Alex Karp.
Who is he?
Alex Karp is maybe the most unique figure on the global business scene.
He and I first started talking in 2019.
We had a couple conversations that year, including one at a home that he owns in Vermont.
To say the home was off the grid would be an understatement.
I'm happy with it.
I like it.
And I mean, you've got privacy here.
We had a conversation over lunch, but it's difficult for Karp to sit still.
We were trailed by two of his bodyguards.
And two more bodyguards remained in the parking lot.
If my phone's around, someone's listening.
Someone is listening?
Definitively.
So a foreign intelligence agency?
Absolutely.
We'd be irresponsible for them not to listen to my phone call.
He's very security conscious, and for a good reason.