I Worked at Palantir: The Tech Company Reshaping Reality

When I joined Palantir, I expected to work on advanced data analytics; what I witnessed was something far more transformative—technology that doesn’t just interpret the world, but actively reshapes it.

Founded in 2003 by Peter Thiel, Alex Karp, Stephen Cohen, and Joe Lonsdale, Palantir began as a secretive startup with CIA backing, dedicated to fighting terrorism through data integration toolsWikipediaLinkedIn. Over the years, this company evolved into a global powerhouse, operating at the intersection of AI, government surveillance, and enterprise decision-making.

I was part of teams building Gotham and Foundry—two of Palantir’s core platforms. Gotham, originally designed for defense and intelligence operations, enables agencies to visualize patterns, predict threats, and prosecute national security matters with unprecedented speedWikipediaTIMELinkedIn. Foundry, intended for commercial clients, turns fragmented data into strategic insights for industries like finance, healthcare, and logisticsWikipediaCoinUnited.io.

During my tenure, Palantir launched its Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP)—a game changer in how AI was operationalized. AIP operates on what the company calls “ontology,” integrating language models with bespoke logic for secure, mission-critical environments. As their revenue metrics show, AIP dramatically fueled commercial growth, achieving rapid uptake among enterprise clientsQuartzLinkedInYahoo FinanceThe Motley Fool.

On the ground, this meant building systems that did more than display dashboards—they redefined how decisions were made. I saw teams implement AIP-powered tools that could interpret private organizational data and trigger automated actions or simulations, accelerating human workflows with uncanny precision.

But it wasn’t all silent progress. Shadowed behind the sleek tech were ethical dilemmas. Palantir played a central role in U.S. military programs—like a $10 billion Army contract and $1.3 billion involvement in the Maven Smart Systems project—and expanded into global defense through NATO integrationsReuters+1The Washington Post. As a former colleague once reflected online, “autonomy, customer-centric focus, and complex, impactful problems” were clear draws—but those long hours and high-pressure stakes came with personal and moral costReddit.

Externally, Palantir’s broader influence continued soaring. Its stock surged more than 600% in the last year, buoyed by winning high-profile government deals and doubling down on AI expansionThe Wall Street JournalReuters. Meanwhile, critics portrayed the company as America’s “most terrifying”—a shadowy force wielding data to surveil populations and shape policy behind closed doorsThe Daily Beast.

Through it all, the company’s identity felt paradoxical. Alexandria Karp, in his book, framed Western AI innovation as an existential tech race, urging a new “Manhattan Project” for defense—while Palantir, operating under his leadership, quietly became part of that visionMoneyWeek.

Working there, I experienced the thrill of building tools at the frontier of AI-enabled decision-making. Yet I also felt the weight of real-world implications. When software becomes central to warfare and governance, the line between shaping reality and redefining it becomes all too thin.

In summary, Palantir positions itself not just as a tech company—but as a reality architect. Its platforms transform fragmented data into critical operational intelligence. Behind that transformation lies profound power, deep controversy, and a fundamental question: how much of reality should a private company control?

This video, produced by More Perfect Union, offers a firsthand, critical perspective from a former Palantir employee—unpacking how the tech firm, founded by Peter Thiel, claims to revolutionize government systems. It also delves into the company’s contracts with entities like the Department of Defense, the FBI, ICE, and even commercial clients like Wendy’s, and examines how Palantir leverages public fear and unrest for profit.YouTube