Palantir CEO Alex Karp Warns of AI Dangers and US-China Race for Dominance

Palantir CEO Karp says AI is dangerous and 'either we win or China will win'

"My general bias on AI is it is dangerous," Karp told CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" on Thursday. "There are positive and negative consequences, and either we win or China will win." Karp has been a vocal advocate for U.S AI dominance. He told CNBC in January that the country needs to "run harder, run faster" in an "all-country effort" to develop more advanced AI models. In a recent letter to shareholders, he also touted Palantir's commitment to equipping and enhancing U.S. defense interests. The billionaire tech CEO said Thursday that the U.S. currently has a leg up in the AI race and Palantir is leading the way in making companies more secure and efficient with its tools.

Palantir CEO Karp says AI is dangerous and 'either we win or China will win'

Palantir CEO Alex Karp said the artificial intelligence arms race between the U.S. and China will culminate in one country coming out on top. "My general bias on AI is it is dangerous," Karp told CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" on Thursday. "There are positive and negative consequences, and either we win or China will win." Karp has been a vocal advocate for U.S. AI dominance. He told CNBC in January that the country needs to "run harder, run faster" in an "all-country effort" to develop more advanced AI models. In a recent letter to shareholders, he also touted Palantir's commitment to equipping and enhancing U.S. defense interests. The billionaire tech CEO said Thursday that the U.S. currently has a leg up in the AI race and Palantir is leading the way in making companies more secure and efficient with its tools. "There is no economy in the world with this kind of corporate leadership which is willing to pivot, which understands technologies, which is willing to look at new things, but also has deep domain expertise," he said. "Our allies in the West, in Europe, are going to have to learn from us." Shares of the Denver-based data analytics and AI software firm outperformed in 2024 and have continued their ascent in 2025 as investors bet on their software and work with key government contractors and agencies. The stock is up 74% this year, but investors have to shell out on a higher earnings multiple than its tech peers. "You don't like the price, exit," Karp said Thursday in response. Karp also asserted that the company is "not surveilling Americans" in response to recent New York Times report that Palantir is helping the Trump administration gather data on Americans.

Palantir CEO Alex Karp predicts U.S.-China AI race will have one winner as GOP slams Trump's data deal

Palantir Technologies CEO Alex Karp has warned that the US-China AI race will likely have only one winner, urging Western countries to act fast to stay competitive. In a recent interview with CNBC, Karp highlighted the serious risks and benefits of AI, stressing that innovation and national security go hand-in-hand. He also addressed political criticism about Palantir's federal contracts and denied surveillance allegations. Despite recent stock dips, Palantir's value surged 435% over the past year. With billions at stake and global power dynamics shifting, Karp's message is clear -- the AI race is on, and the West must lead.Palantir CEO warns US-China AI race will have only one winner: Can the West keep up?- Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: PLTR) CEO Alex Karp has issued a strong warning about the ongoing artificial intelligence race between the United States and China. Speaking on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" Thursday, Karp stated bluntly that the AI arms race "will have one winner," and he urged Western countries to act quickly or risk falling behind. While he highlighted the benefits of AI, he also underscored its risks, warning that failing to innovate responsibly could put democratic nations at a disadvantage. His comments come amid political criticism and a dip in Palantir's stock. Karp emphasized that the global competition in artificial intelligence is not just about technology -- it's about values, power, and national security. According to Karp, "either you win or you lose in this game." He made it clear that the AI race isn't like traditional markets where multiple players can thrive; instead, there will likely be one dominant power, and he believes it's crucial that Western democracies lead that charge. He credited American corporate culture for fostering rapid innovation, saying that U.S. companies are uniquely positioned to adapt quickly and push tech boundaries. "No other economy has corporate leaders as adaptable and tech-savvy while remaining deeply grounded in industry expertise," he added. Karp's warning wasn't just for the U.S. government -- it was a message for all Western allies. He urged countries in Europe and beyond to learn from America's aggressive innovation approach. He expressed concern that without similar urgency and investment, other democratic nations could lose ground in AI development, making the global balance of power increasingly tilted in China's favor. The urgency he stressed reflects a broader concern among policymakers and tech leaders about China's rapid advancements in AI, especially in military and surveillance applications. While Karp made headlines with his AI warnings, Palantir is also facing political heat. Some Republican lawmakers are criticizing the Trump administration's expanding deals with the company, citing concerns over surveillance and data privacy. There are reports alleging that Palantir helped gather information on Americans during Trump's term. Karp directly addressed these claims, calling them "ridiculous." He denied that Palantir surveilled U.S. citizens to aid the federal government, insisting that the company operates within strict legal and ethical frameworks. Still, the pushback from GOP lawmakers has had a market impact. On Thursday, PLTR stock fell by 7.77%, closing at $119.91, following reports of criticism over the company's government contracts. Despite the controversy, Palantir has significantly expanded its footprint in the federal government. Since Donald Trump took office, the company has secured over $113 million in new or extended contracts, not including a massive $795 million deal with the Department of Defense. These contracts span across various government departments, including defense, intelligence, and public health. Palantir's growing role in national security, and its work with the U.S. military, puts it at the center of both innovation and political scrutiny. Despite recent criticism and Thursday's stock dip, Palantir has seen a 435% surge in its stock value over the past 12 months. Investors have largely backed the company's strong positioning in AI and defense technologies, as well as its growing list of public sector and private sector clients. However, Karp's comments -- and the political tension around federal contracts -- signal that volatility may continue. As the AI race intensifies, Palantir's future may depend just as much on public trust as it does on government funding. With countries like China investing billions into AI, Karp's call for the West to "keep up" isn't just a company pitch -- it's a broader plea for urgency. Whether it's through policy changes, public-private partnerships, or stronger investment in AI research, the next few years could decide who leads the global tech frontier. As the AI landscape evolves, Palantir Technologies remains at the center of the debate -- balancing innovation, ethics, politics, and national security. Karp's stark message is clear: the AI race isn't slowing down, and only the most prepared nation will win. Q1: Why did Palantir CEO say the US-China AI race will have one winner? A1: He believes AI dominance will go to one nation, urging the West to move faster. Q2: Did Palantir Technologies spy on Americans under Trump? A2: No, CEO Alex Karp denied all surveillance claims linked to the Trump administration.

Palantir CEO Warns US-China AI Race Will Have One Winner, Urges West To Keep Up - Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:PLTR)

Palantir Technologies Inc PLTR CEO Alex Karp expects the artificial intelligence arms race between the U.S. and China to have one winner. Karp, on Thursday's episode of CNBC's "Squawk on the Street," expressed his concerns regarding AI's dangers while acknowledging its positive and negative consequences. The stock is down amid reports indicating that some Republicans are criticizing the Trump administration's deal with the company. Also Read: Palantir CEO Alex Karp Refutes 'Ridiculous' Surveillance Reports, Says Company Is 'Winning' He had previously voiced aggressive efforts required by countries to develop more advanced AI models. Karp said that no other economy in the world has corporate leaders as adaptable, tech-savvy, and open to innovation while still rooted in deep industry expertise. He added that Western allies, including those in Europe, must take notes from this approach. He denied reports indicating that the company surveilled Americans to help the Trump administration gather data on Americans. Palantir Technologies stock surged 435% in the last 12 months. Reportedly, the Trump administration has recently expanded the company's work across the federal government. Since Trump took office, Palantir bagged over $113 million in contracts (new and additional funds from existing), excluding the $795 million Department of Defense contract. Price Action: PLTR stock closed lower by 7.77% at $119.91 on Thursday. Read Next: Palantir Stock Falls As GOP Lawmakers Push Back On Government Surveillance Deal Photo by slyellow via Shutterstock PLTRPalantir Technologies Inc$120.66-7.19%Stock Score Locked: Want to See it? Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. Reveal Full ScoreEdge RankingsMomentum99.12Growth97.44QualityNot AvailableValue2.53Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewMarket News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Palantir CEO shares warning about the dangers of AI 'arms race'

Palantir CEO Alex Karp on Thursday warned that either the United States or China will prevail in the artificial intelligence race - and that our tech industry needs to keep pushing forward to avoid the latter. "My general bias on AI is it is dangerous, there are positive and negative consequences, and either we win or China will win," Karp told CNBC's "Squawk on the Street." "We're in an arms race," he added. His warning came in response to questions about a GOP proposal to block states from regulating artificial intelligence for 10 years - which has taken heat from other leaders in the tech industry. "A 10-year moratorium is far too blunt an instrument. AI is advancing too head-spinningly fast," Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei wrote in an op-ed for The New York Times. "Without a clear plan for a federal response, a moratorium would give us the worst of both worlds -- no ability for states to act, and no national policy as a backstop." Karp, whose software firm boasts partners like Microsoft, Oracle, Deloitte and PwC, argued that the US currently has the lead in the race thanks to its flourishing tech industry. "There is no economy in the world with this kind of corporate leadership which is willing to pivot, which understands technologies, which is willing to look at new things, but also has deep domain expertise," he said. "Our allies in the West, in Europe, are going to have to learn from us. Our allies in the Middle East are learning quicker from us. Our adversaries are trying to learn from us," he continued. Karp has long pushed for the US to prioritize gaining dominance in artificial intelligence over foreign nations, arguing that it requires an "all-country effort." In a recent letter to shareholders, Karp also made clear Palantir's commitment to enhancing US defense interests. He hit back, however, against a New York Times report that Palantir is helping the Trump administration gather data on Americans - telling CNBC that the company is "not surveilling Americans." Shares of the $306 billion AI firm outperformed last year and have continued to climb, soaring more than 60% so far this year. The stock fell about 6% on Thursday. But investors have to pay up for shares of the company, which has much higher multiples than peers in the tech industry. When asked about the price, Karp said: "You don't like the price, exit."