EP58: Palantir: an amazing applied AI company you probably never heard of, but should know

Summary:

In this episode we explore the various software platforms and services offered by Palantir Technologies, a company specializing in data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI).  Palantir's platforms, such as Foundry, Gotham, Apollo, and AIP, are designed to help organizations analyze data, make informed decisions, and improve operational efficiency. These platforms have applications across diverse industries, including healthcare, finance, energy, transportation, and defense. We highlight Palantir's involvement in government projects, particularly with intelligence and defense agencies, as well as its growing presence in commercial markets. We also detail some of Palantir's lesser-known products like TITAN, MetaConstellation, and Maven, which showcase the company's innovative use of AI in areas like battlefield analysis and satellite imagery interpretation.

Questions to consider as you read/listen:

1. What is Palantir's core business and how does it use AI to achieve its goals?

2. How does Palantir's technology impact various sectors, including government and commercial industries?

3. What are the key strengths and weaknesses of Palantir's various platforms, and how do they contribute to the company's overall mission?

Long format:

 Palantir: an amazing applied AI company you probably never heard of, but should know

Palantir is a US-based technology company that provides software platforms and services to help organizations analyze data securely.

It’s most public and consumer facing part of its business is in data analytics and especially in using AI to analyze big data. It has a few private corporate clients but its major base of business is every single three letter agency in the US and many you have never heard of as well. Its commercial side use is growing quite a bit. Commercial revenue surged by 27% year-over-year to $229 million, surpassing the 16% growth in government revenue to $335 million

Those who are familiar with the company are probably most versed in their well known projects including: Palantir Foundry, Palantir Gotham, Palantir Apollo, and Palantir Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP). 

FOUNDRY

Palantir Foundry is a data management platform that helps businesses make data-driven decisions. Foundry can connect and synchronize data from various sources, including structured, unstructured, streaming, and IoT data. Foundry's AI and machine learning capabilities can be used for a variety of purposes, such as building safer cars, securing supply chains, and accelerating cancer research. Foundry helps teams automate decision-making by providing a unified platform for data, analytics, and business teams.

There are many commercial users of this platform including United Airlines, CVS, AIG, Jacobs, Sonnedix, PG&E, Southern California Edison (SCE), Skywise, Trafigura, Athinia™, NCATS, Concordance Healthcare Solutions, and Castrol. It is also widely used in the oil and gas industry. The UK’s National Healthcare System (NHS) is a customer as well. US agencies that use or have used Foundry include HHS, CDC, FEMA, DOD, NIH, and FDA. 

GOTHAM

Palantir Gotham is a software platform that helps users make decisions globally by integrating and visualizing data from various sources. Gotham can integrate and visualize data and models of any type or volume. Gotham can autonomously task sensors like drones and satellites. Palantir Gotham is used by intelligence and defense agencies, and has been used for a variety of purposes, including:

• Tracking troop movements: Palantir Gotham can be used to track an adversary's troop movements.
• Predictive policing: Palantir Gotham has been used as a predictive policing system.
• Drug discovery and development: Palantir Gotham can be used to analyze data to identify drug targets, test drugs, and market drugs.

The CIA, FBI, NSA, and Department of Defense use Palantir Gotham for counterterrorism, cyber operations, and defense logistics. Some private companies, such as Barbaricum, Iron EagleX Inc., Intuitive Research & Technology Corporation, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, also use Palantir Gotham. 

APOLLO

Palantir Apollo is a software as a system (SaaS) platform that helps users manage, deploy, monitor, and secure software across various environments. Apollo can deploy software across multiple environments, including air-gapped environments, and manage releases. Apollo can automatically monitor for vulnerabilities and help users balance security controls with agility. Apollo can automatically orchestrate software upgrades and changes across environments. Apollo can allow users to roll back software. Apollo can automatically remediate issues with releases by blocking bad releases from being rolled out. Apollo can help speed up the release of products by over 25X and cut DevSecOps costs by 50%. This platform has its most customers. On the commercial side, some notable clients include: Morgan Stanley, Merck KGaA, Airbus, Wejo, Lilium, PG&E and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Government agencies use Apollo as well. 

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE PLATORM

Most exciting to me is Palantir's Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) is a workspace for building AI apps, agents, and actions. It enables real-time decision-making by integrating AI with operations. It takes a company or agencies existing data and uses AI to make sense of it and then allow for human interaction to query to discover the best and most optimal path forward. AIP is used by organizations in government and commerce for a variety of applications, including public health and battery production. AIP is a traceable and auditable system, built to capture a full audit trail to ensure trust and accountability in responsible human-machine teaming. In essence, Palantir AIP is a comprehensive tool that makes it easier for organizations to leverage AI, improve efficiency, and make better decisions based on data-driven insights. It is used by AARP, Charter Steel, Cleveland Clinic, Cone Health, EdgeScale AI, Foxtrot + Aniko, Fujitsu, Jacobs, Kinder Morgan, NorthWind, Parexel, Tampa General Hospital, Trios Health, and Sompo Japan and even the fast food chain Wendy’s. These capabilities of AIP are very useful for agencies such as the NSA, NRO, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and military intelligence agencies that collect a lot of non public data and are awash in data. It provides a means to organize, distill and interrogate this form of big data. 

OTHER PRIDUCTS

Some of its lesser known products include

The Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node (TITAN) is a ground station system developed by Palantir Technologies that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to help the U.S. Army collect, process, and share intelligence data. Physically it is contained within a truck. The Advanced model will have complete features installed in larger tactical trucks like the M1083. Conversely, the Basic version will be fitted onto Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and will have no direct space downlink. TITAN is the Army's next-generation Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance ground station. TITAN can access sensors from space, the air, and the ground to gather data. TITAN can access sensors from space, the air, and the ground to gather data. TITSN is used to shorten the OODA loop on the battlefield. The first prototype was delivered in August 2024. 

Palantir MetaConstellation is a software program that uses satellite technology to help decision-makers on Earth. It uses Palantir's Edge AI technology to help with tasks. MetaConstellation can help users answer time-sensitive questions across the planet, such as:

• Where are wildfire indicators located? 
• How are climate changes affecting crop productivity? 
• When and where are naval fleets conducting operations?

Palantir’s MetaConstellation software, which uses AI to analyze satellite imagery, open-source data, drone footage, and reports from the ground to present commanders with military options, is “responsible for most of the targeting in Ukraine,” according to Alex Karp who is the CEO of Palantair. 

Palantir Skykit is a self-contained intelligence center that allows users to perform operations and process intelligence in areas with unreliable communications, power, and networking. It's designed to help users gain an advantage over adversaries in extreme, hostile, and adverse environments. Skykit is small enough to be carried or attached to a light truck or small boat. Skykit has its own secure satellite communications. Skykit is powered by Palantir's MetaConstellation and Sensor Inference Platform (SIP) software. Skykit uses computer vision algorithms that send detections directly to the base station. It too is being extensively used in Ukraine. 

Palantir Metropolis was originally Palantir Finance. This one has been a commercial disappointment. It analyzes commercial, proprietary and public data sets and discovers trends, relationships and anomalies, including predictive analytics. 

The Maven Smart System is a prototype AI-powered battlefield analyzer developed by Palantir Technologies for the US Army. The system combines data from various sources into a single interface to help intelligence analysts identify military points of interest more quickly. The Maven Smart System is a key part of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's Maven AI framework. The system helps with battlespace awareness, global integration, contested logistics, joint fires, and targeting workflows. The system can integrate data from various sources, including social media. The system can provide analysts with near-real-time data that can be used to validate against the commander's objective. The Maven Smart System is expected to be integrated into the US military's Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2). The system could help commanders make better and faster decisions. It was recently deployed to the recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene. 

Palantir Government Web Services (PGWS) is a program that offers tools to help defense tech innovators build, manage, and ship solutions. PGWS provides access to Palantir's technology, which has been developed over 20 years, to government tech innovators. 

Palantir FedStart is a SaaS offering for companies and startups looking to deploy software to the federal government. 

The Ontology Software Development Kit (OSDK) is a tool that allows users to build custom SDKs for their business. It's a data service that integrates business logic, actions, and data into a model that centralizes business knowledge. 

The Electromagnetic Battle Management - Joint Decision Support (EMBM-J DS) Prototype is a web-based application that will help the Department of Defense (DoD) with Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (JEMSO). Electromagnetic Battle Management (EMBM) is a military term that refers to the coordination and use of the electromagnetic spectrum in battle operations. The prototype will automate key planning processes for the electromagnetic spectrum.

Palantir Technologies Inc. has signed a partnership agreement with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine which will pave the way for the roll-out of a digitally led demining approach backed by Palantir’s AI-enabled software.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Palantir stands out as a powerhouse in applied AI, operating in the critical spaces where data, security, and decision-making converge. With robust platforms like Foundry, Gotham, Apollo, and AIP, it is revolutionizing data analysis and intelligence operations for both commercial enterprises and government agencies. Its impact extends from private sectors like healthcare, finance, and transportation to the highest echelons of government, supporting defense, intelligence, and public safety.

Palantir’s contributions to AI and big data are both wide-ranging and impactful. Its platforms are used not only to analyze data but to make real-time, informed decisions in high-stakes situations—from securing national borders to supporting military operations. Tools like TITAN, MetaConstellation, and Maven showcase the company’s commitment to pushing technological boundaries, even as they remain largely under the radar for the general public.

As Palantir continues to innovate and expand its reach into commercial markets, it’s clear that its technology will play a pivotal role in the future of AI-driven decision-making, making it a company to watch for anyone interested in the evolution of artificial intelligence, big data, and security in an interconnected world.

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