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If the best defence against AI is more AI, this could be tech’s Oppenheimer moment

Mar 02, 2025 - theguardian.com
Oscar Wilde’s quip about life imitating art is updated to replace “art” with “AI” in the context of Alexander C. Karp and Nicholas W. Zapiska’s new book, _The Technological Republic: Hard Power, Soft Belief and the Future of the West_. The book critiques Silicon Valley for prioritizing consumer gratification over national welfare and security, despite being built on state-funded technological foundations. Karp, co-founder of Palantir, argues for a closer collaboration between the state and the tech sector to maintain geopolitical advantage, drawing parallels to the Manhattan Project’s collaboration between the state and scientists.

The book explores themes of American primacy, the need for military power, and the potential dangers of AI technology. Karp criticizes Silicon Valley’s reluctance to engage with military applications, suggesting that a credible threat of war is necessary for peace. The book raises concerns about the implications of AI becoming integral to national security, questioning the impact on fairness and justice in civilian life. Karp believes that in a dangerous world, investing in AI is essential to counter threats, presenting a dilemma between AI’s potential for abuse and its necessity for defense.

Key takeaways:

  • The book critiques Silicon Valley for prioritizing consumer gratification and wealth creation over national welfare and security.
  • It advocates for a closer collaboration between the state and the technology sector to maintain geopolitical advantages.
  • The authors express concern over the ethical implications of AI being integrated into national security.
  • The book suggests that AI's role in national security is inevitable, framing it as a necessary response to global threats.
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