Latest news with #ShyamSankar
South China Morning Post
11 hours ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Why Silicon Valley signing up to nationalism puts Asia on edge
A day before the controversial military parade in Washington celebrating the US Army's 250th anniversary (which, coincidentally, fell on President Donald Trump's 79th birthday), a more discreet yet significant event took place. On June 13, the US Army swore four C-suite technologists into its reserve ranks with the launch of Detachment 201, its executive innovation corps. The newly commissioned lieutenant colonels are Shyam Sankar , Palantir Technologies' chief technology officer; Andrew Bosworth, Meta's chief technology officer; Kevin Weil, OpenAI's chief product officer; and Bob McGrew, Thinking Machines Lab's adviser and formerly OpenAI's chief research officer. Dressed in military fatigues at their oath-taking ceremony, the reserve officers symbolised a fusion of two of the greatest US exports: capitalism and lethality. This merger of the boardroom and the battlefield is not new. In the early 1960s, Dwight Eisenhower cautioned against the rise of the US military-industrial complex even as he recognised the 'imperative need' for it. Since then, US tech dominance – led by the private sector and supported by the government – has only accelerated the inevitability of the military-technology complex in the digital age. But Silicon Valley's attitude towards Washington was not always this eager. The image of libertarian tech elites in the West Coast in the early days of start-ups, along with their ideals of individual autonomy and limited government, is a far cry from the assertive nationalism of US Big Tech now. Alex Karp , CEO of Palantir, a major US defence and security contractor that specialises in commercial data analytics software, has unapologetically championed Western dominance through a combination of hard power and technology. Contemptuous of protests by tech workers against engineering technology for US weapons development, Karp has instead embraced the idea of scaring America's enemies and killing them, if necessary.
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Tech execs from companies chasing defense contracts are now Army officers. A watchdog is calling for an investigation.
A watchdog group has called on the Defense Department's Inspector General office to probe whether the recent commissioning of four tech executives as part-time Army officers is in keeping with laws and practices against self-dealing. The Democracy Defenders Fund sent the letter on Tuesday, requesting that investigators determine "whether the assignment of these officials to the Army Reserve is consistent with the Federal conflict of interest laws" and whether their appointments qualify as "misuse of position and nonpublic information." The executives — Shyam Sankar, chief technology officer of Palantir; Andrew Bosworth, chief technology officer of Meta; Kevin Weil, chief product officer at OpenAI; and Bob McGrew, an advisor at Thinking Machines Lab who was the chief research officer for OpenAI — joined the Army Reserve just weeks ago. The men will forego traditional three-month boot camp for a two-week crash course on Army history and basic military knowledge. These executives may be in a position to influence Army and Defense Department contracts as newly minted lieutenant colonels or share vital inside information to benefit their companies, which could increase the value of compensation like stock options. It is not unusual for civilians with expertise to bypass the most junior officer ranks for mid-level appointments. Historically that has most often included chaplains, veterinarians, and medical providers, career fields that require advanced degrees to join. The Army has made efforts to recruit more Americans with cyber and tech experience, though the four executives are the highest-profile enlistments to date. The Democracy Defenders Fund outlined special concerns regarding ongoing contract work Palantir and OpenAI have undertaken with the DoD recently. It's common for military reservists to have civilian careers in the DoD. The problem with these tech execs, the group says, are the profound amounts of lucrative government contracts at stake for their companies. "Some of these individuals have significant personal financial stakes in their outside employers, including stock, stock options, restricted stock units, and performance-based bonuses, which they seem unlikely to divest for a part-time government position," the letter read. "Given the ongoing and clear financial interest these appointees have in the adoption of Artificial Intelligence by the Department of Defense, there is a real risk that these individuals may engage in self-dealing or use their positions or nonpublic government information to benefit their outside employers in violation of federal law," it continued. The executives' commissions are part of a larger Army effort to rapidly modernize to better harness Silicon Valley's tech for future battlefields. Some experts have previously noted that the expertise such executives have is likely to be an imperative for future peer-level conflicts. Business Insider asked Army officials if concerns regarding executives' potential conflicts of interest have already been addressed, but did not receive a response before Tuesday afternoon. Officials have previously said the executives will be held to the same ethical standard as other service members. "Palantir, Meta, OpenAI, and Thinking Machines each have a significant financial interest in DoD adopting AI," the letter read, adding that the DoD has already awarded over $1 billion worth of contracts to Palantir and its subsidiaries while OpenAI has a $200 million AI contract with the military.
Euronews
6 days ago
- Business
- Euronews
Who are the four tech executives joining the US Army?
The US military created a new army reserve body earlier this month that included four players from the biggest tech companies in the world. The Army's new initiative – Detachment 201, called the Executive Innovation Corps to Drive Tech Transformation, will see senior tech executives serve as advisors to the military to 'help guide rapid and scalable tech solutions to complex problems,' the army's website reads. 'By bringing private sector know-how into uniform, Det. 201 is supercharging efforts … to make the force leaner, smarter and more lethal'. (The US Army has issued an interest form since the four tech executives joined in the hopes of recruiting more tech executives to the detachment.) The first four reserve members are Shyam Sankar, Palantir's chief technology officer, Andrew Bosworth, Meta's chief technology officer, Kevin Weil, OpenAI's chief product officer, and Bob McGrew, advisor at Thinking Machines Lab and former chief research officer at OpenAI. All four have been given the title of Lieutenant Colonel, a senior officer rank that often oversees battalions of between 300 to 1,000 people. Shyam Sankar Shyam Sankar claims he joined Palantir Technologies, an American company that trades in software platforms for big data analytics as 'employee #13'. He said he brought the forward deployed engineer role to the company, a software engineer who works directly with clients to embed Palantir's technology into its weapons. Sankar holds a bachelor's in electrical and computer engineering from Cornell University and a master's degree in management science and engineering from Stanford University. In 2024, Sankar wrote the 'Defence Reformation,' a 4000-word 'treatise' that lays out how he believes the US should reform its military, including ways to introduce more competition into a defence tech industry that he believes has been consolidated. 'We are in [a] state of undeclared emergency,' he wrote. 'For more than three decades, we've accepted a stagnant Defence Industrial Base … with no great power competition. 'Change is now possible because we all realise there is something worse than change: irrelevance,' he said. Sankar's swearing in to the military comes a few weeks after Palantir won a $795 million (€678.5 million) contract for its Maven Smart System software licenses. Earlier this year, the company also provided the US military with its first Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node (TITAN) systems, the first AI-powered mobile ground station to help soldiers with warfare strategy. Andrew Bosworth Bosworth, known in the tech community as 'Boz,' joined Meta in 2006 when Mark Zuckerberg was ramping up the social media platform Facebook. Initially, Bosworth was Zuckerberg's teaching assistant in an artificial intelligence (AI) class at Harvard in 2004. Despite rarely coming to his class, Facebook recruiters called Bosworth while he was working at Microsoft in Seattle, and the rest is history. The company credits Bosworth with creating the News Feed, where users often see recent posts from their friends and family, along with early 'anti-abuse systems' that are still in place on the network. In 2017, Bosworth created the company's first virtual reality (VR) division called Reality Labs, which he still leads. He also leads the company's artificial intelligence (AI) efforts, called Meta AI, and Meta's smart glasses technology. He said on X that he was 'honoured' to join the US military because he is 'deeply invested in helping advance American technological innovation'. Bosworth's swearing in comes less than a month after Meta and US-based defence tech company Anduril announced a partnership to integrate extended reality (XR) products into American warfighters, giving them 'enhanced perception … and intuitive control of autonomous platforms on the battlefield'. In an interview with CNBC, Bosworth said his decision to serve is separate from defence deals that Meta has made. Kevin Weil and Bob McGrew McGrew, OpenAI's former chief researcher, is now an advisor to Thinking Labs. The new AI start-up, founded by ex-OpenAI chief technology officer Mira Murati, is now worth an estimated $10 billion (€8.53 billion), six months after launch. McGrew shared on X that he left OpenAI last September, describing his eight years at the company as a 'humbling and awe-inspiring journey'. In the message, he shares that he was a part of pioneering large language models (LLMs) at the company as well as building some of the first multimodal models of the popular AI chatbot, ChatGPT. He also launched ChatGPT's o1 series that reasons through complex tasks such as science, coding and math. Weil is a recent recruit to OpenAI, having joined the company in 2024 as chief product officer. He's leading a team 'focused on applying our research to products and services that benefit consumers, developers and businesses,' according to the company. Before joining OpenAI, Weil has had stints at many of the dominant social media companies, starting at Twitter, now known as X. As the social network's head of product, he claims he scaled the company from 40 to 4,000 employees and from $0 to $2 billion (€1.7 billion) in annual revenue. Weil also worked as vice-president of product at Instagram and kept that same job after Meta's acquisition of the social media site until 2021. At Instagram, he's credited with launching 'Instagram Stories,' a part of the app where users share up-to-date images or videos of what they are up to. Weil also serves on a variety of boards, like Cisco, the US Nature Conservancy and is listed as 'Operator in Residence' at his wife Elizabeth Weil's venture capital firm, Scribble Ventures. His LinkedIn profile says he graduated from Harvard University in 2005 with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics and a master's degree from Stanford University in physics. OpenAI was awarded a $200 million (€170.7 million) US defence contract to 'develop prototype frontier AI capabilities to address critical national security challenges in both warfighting and enterprise domains,' three days after Weil was named to the US Army.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Palantir, Meta, OpenAI, And Thinking Machines Just Had Their Executives Sworn Into The US Army Reserve
Four top tech executives have joined the U.S. Army Reserve as lieutenant colonels, skipping basic training and stepping directly into roles aimed at helping modernize the military. The initiative is part of a broader push by the Army to bring in private-sector innovation and reshape how the service approaches technology, talent, and modernization. The executives—Palantir (NYSE:PLTR) Chief Technology Officer Shyam Sankar, Meta (NASDAQ:META) CTO Andrew Bosworth, OpenAI Chief Product Officer Kevin Weil, and advisor at Thinking Machines Lab and former OpenAI Chief Research Officer Bob McGrew — will serve in a new unit called Detachment 201, also known as the Army's Executive Innovation Corps. Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Peter Thiel turned $1,700 into $5 billion—now accredited investors are eyeing this software company with similar breakout potential. Learn how you can 'Detachment 201 is being created to bring in tech innovation executives to help the Army ... on broader conceptual things like talent management, how do we bring in tech-focused people into the ranks of the military, and then, how do we train them,' Army Chief of Staff spokesperson Col. Dave Butler, told Breaking Defense on June 13. Unlike traditional recruits, these executives will not attend boot camp. Instead, they will go through an express training program that covers marksmanship, physical fitness, Army history, and protocols. They will be expected to serve about 120 hours per year and pass annual fitness tests. 'You could think of it as a pilot' of a lighter version of basic training, Butler told Business Insider. The detachment's name, 201, references the HTTP status code indicating a newly created resource—a fitting metaphor for a new kind of Army asset. Trending: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: . According to an Army statement, the new officers will work on 'targeted projects to help guide rapid and scalable tech solutions to complex problems.' Their advisory roles will include input on AI-powered military systems and optimization tools for soldier fitness. However, safeguards will be in place to avoid conflicts of interest with their current or former employers. 'We've done this over and over when our nation needed top talent,' Butler told Breaking Defense. 'The difference is we used to do it in wartime. Now we're doing it ahead of wartime so that we can prepare and deter.' This marks another move by the Trump administration to align more closely with Silicon Valley. Palantir, Anduril, and other VC-backed defense tech startups have increasingly become major players in national security. Meta recently partnered with Anduril to develop augmented reality tools and AI systems for military direct commissioning has been used to bring in specialized talent, such as doctors or chaplains, during times of war. This move represents a peacetime shift aimed at long-term transformation. 'Their swearing-in is just the start of a bigger mission to inspire more tech pros to serve without leaving their careers,' the Army statement said. 'Showing the next generation how to make a difference in uniform.' Read Next: How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you?.UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? PALANTIR TECHNOLOGIES (PLTR): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Palantir, Meta, OpenAI, And Thinking Machines Just Had Their Executives Sworn Into The US Army Reserve originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
New York Post
20-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Silicon Valley's enthusiasm for Pentagon is just beginning
In the span of a few years, Silicon Valley executives have shifted from viewing Pentagon collaboration as war-mongering to joining the US Army Reserve. And if the response Palantir chief technology officer Shyam Sankar — who has joined the newly formed Detachment 201: Executive Innovation Corps — has received is any indication, the tech industry's enthusiasm is just beginning. Sankar told me he has been inundated with messages from people in the industry who want to do the same. 'Hundreds of people have reached out to me,' he said. 'Service is contagious and people respond.' Advertisement 7 Palantir chief technology officer Shyam Sankar he has been inundated with messages from people in the tech industry interested in serving in the Army Reserve: 'Hundreds of people have reached out to me.' Getty Images for 137 Ventures/Founders Fund/Jacob Helberg Last Friday, Sankar was sworn into Detachment 201, along with Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth, OpenAI Chief Product Officer Kevin Weil and Bob McGrew, OpenAI's former Chief Research Office. The four will serve part-time as senior advisors. The purpose of the new initiative, the Army said in a statement, 'is to fuse cutting-edge tech expertise with military innovation.' Sankar envisions a future where the Department of Defense will prioritize recruiting in the Bay Area. Advertisement 'You need to be where the innovative talent is,' he said. 'We have the facilities they don't have.' 7 OpenAI chief product officer Kevin Weil is joining the US Army Reserve as a part-time senior advisor. Getty Images for HumanX Conference This surge of patriotism marks a dramatic change for an industry that has, in recent years, shunned defense tech firms. Scale CEO Alexandr Wang told me his company's decision to work with the Department of Defense five years ago was enormously controversial at the time. Advertisement 7 Meta Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth is joining Sankar at the newly formed Detachment 201: Executive Innovation Corps. REUTERS 'We were a bit of a pariah in the AI industry because all the other AI companies were were going the other way. They were moving away from working with on defense or security applications,' Wang said. 'And now I'm seeing that pendulum swing back where, even in Silicon Valley, there's a clear recognition and moral imperative that we need to be utilizing AI to support, support our war fighters, support our natural security mission.' Over the past year, OpenAI secured a $200 million contract with the DoD to develop AI capabilities for national security, marking its first major government contract. Advertisement 7 In the last year, OpenAI — where Sam Altman is CEO — secured a $200 million contract with the Department of Defense. Getty Images Meta partnered with Anduril Industries to develop augmented reality (AR) products for US military use. Google has re-entered the defense sector by reversing earlier AI policies that prevented it from supporting national security. That's a big switch from 2018, when Google walked away from the Pentagon's Project Maven (which used AI and machine learning for military targeting) after thousands of employees — touting the company's 'Don't be evil' mantra — signed a letter demanding the company abandon the project. David Ulevitch founded a16z's American Dynamism firm, which invests in founders and companies that support the national interest, including in the fields of aerospace, defense, public safety, education and housing. He told me that Google's overreaction was a 'watershed moment' that spurred others in the industry to return to working on defense and warfare. 7 In 2018 Google walked away from the Pentagon's Project Maven after thousands of employees — touting the company's 'Don't be evil' mantra — signed a letter demanding the company abandon the project. JOHN G MABANGLO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock 'The history of Silicon Valley is rooted in supporting the national interest ,' he said, 'but somewhere along the way, many lost sight of that. 'Founders have realized that building in the national interest doesn't just feel good and patriotic — which it is — but represents a generational opportunity to build the iconic companies that will power and advance our country for decades to come.' Advertisement During World War II, Frederick Terman, the Stanford engineering dean often called the 'father of Silicon Valley,' built a defense tech ecosystem at the university, securing government contracts and establishing the Stanford Industrial Park. And companies like Hewlett-Packard, Varian Associates, Shockley Semiconductor and Fairchild Semiconductor supplied critical electronics for military radar, missiles and communication systems. 7 Alexandr Wang said concerns over China and the geopolitical tensions have pushed tech leaders to work with the US government. REUTERS This story is part of NYNext, an indispensable insider insight into the innovations, moonshots and political chess moves that matter most to NYC's power players (and those who aspire to be). The stakes might be higher now, with AI's potential to transform governance or even create an extinction event. And many tech leaders have worked with China — and recognize how that country doesn't play fair. Advertisement Wang warned: 'If China gets ahead and America's brightest minds don't tackle national security, what does that world look like?' Silicon Valley's embrace of patriotism coincides with a cultural shift as companies crack down on all things 'woke,' decreasing DEI requirements and curtailing climate pledges. Of course, along with patriotism comes the potential for enormous profit. 7 The Department of Defense, headquartered in the Pentagon, has a budget of nearly a trillion dollars each year. Getty Images/iStockphoto Advertisement Palantir, which relies on the government for more than 40% of its revenue, has come under scrutiny — with lawmakers asking the company to share details of a project that could help the government create a database of Americans, according to a New York Times report. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) has concerns about data privacy and tech companies getting too close to the government, emphasizing the need for a balance between innovation and security. 'You can innovate while safeguarding information,' he told me. He said technologies like blockchain, which could track access to American data, offer a promising solution to enhance privacy protections. Relying on American companies is arguably the best way to do that. Advertisement 'Ninety percent of all tech is American… it's one of our greatest assets,' Sankar said. 'This is about the importance and primacy of people. When we look at history, innovators like John Boyd, who created the F-16, [have from] the private sector.' Send NYNext a tip: nynextlydia@
