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Intelligence Squared

Is Alex Karp the Philosopher of Silicon Valley? With Michael Steinberger

Intelligence Squared

Intelligence Squared

Arts, News, Society & Culture, News Commentary

4.21.1K Ratings

🗓️ 8 December 2025

⏱️ 50 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Who does our data belong to? In this episode, Carl Miller speaks to NYT magazine journalist and author Michael Steinberger about Alex Karp, Palantir and the rise of the surveillance state. Founded in 2003, Palantir is widely regarded as the most interesting company in Silicon Valley – as well as its most controversial. It aided the US government in the war on terrorism and is now used by the CIA, the NHS, the US military and corporate giants like Airbus and BP. But its billionaire CEO, Alex Karp, is not like the other CEOs. In The Philosopher in the Valley, Michael Steinberger, who had unprecedented access to Karp during the writing of this biography, offers a detailed account of Karp’s singular approach to leadership and how he is preparing Palantir, and the world, for a future dominated by technological power.  Michael Steinberger is a longtime journalist who writes primarily for The New York Times Magazine. He has written cover stories for the magazine about Joe Biden, George Soros, and Roger Federer. Before becoming a journalist, Steinberger spent several years working on Wall Street. He is the author of Au Revoir to All That: Food, Wine, and the End of France and The Wine Savant: A Guide to the New Wine Culture.  If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events  ...  Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Why are businesses like HelloVet choosing Apple products and services?

0:05.1

So we started the business two years ago.

0:07.2

We had a few people who were used to PCs and this was their first foray into Macs.

0:12.5

But it's been super smooth getting everyone onto those devices and everyone seems really, really happy.

0:18.0

Find out how Mac can help you run and grow your business at Apple.com forward slash

0:23.6

HelloVet.

0:27.0

This episode is brought to you by Vanta.

0:29.7

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0:32.2

Done right, you build trust and grow faster.

0:34.7

That's Vanta.

0:35.8

For startups, Vanta acts as your first security hire,

0:39.2

using AI to get you compliant fast. For enterprises, it's your AI-powered hub for compliance,

0:44.6

risk, and automating workflows. From startups like Cursor to enterprises like Snowflake,

0:49.6

top companies choose Vantor. Do security and compliance right. Get started today at vanta.com.

0:56.3

Welcome to Intelligence Squared, where great minds meet. I'm producer Mia Serenti. On today's

1:03.3

episode, author and New York Times magazine journalist Michael Steinberger joins us to examine

1:08.6

Alex Karp, Palantir, and the rise of the modern surveillance state.

1:13.6

Founded in 2003, Palantir is widely regarded as the most interesting company in Silicon Valley,

1:19.6

as well as its most controversial. It aided the US government in the war on terrorism and is now

1:25.7

used by the CIA, their NHS, the US military and

1:29.2

corporate giants like Airbus and BP. But its billionaire, CEO Alex Karp, is not like other

1:36.1

CEOs. In conversation with Carl Miller, Michael Steinberger joins us to discuss his new biography

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