Agenda Dialogues Davos 2023: A conversation with Palantir's Alex Karp
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Jan 19, 2023 
Alex Karp, CEO of Palantir Technologies, discusses the company's work with governments, counter-terrorism efforts, and human rights abuses. They also touch on Karp's non-traditional background, his hair, and why he lives in New Hampshire.
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How Palantir Started From PayPal Anti-Fraud
- Palantir began as a PayPal anti-fraud backend repurposed for intelligence work.
- Peter Thiel invited Alex Karp to co-found the company and early pilots were with the FBI, CIA and a DOD unit that solved IED targeting.
Integration Plus Data Protection Is The Core Product
- Integrating data with data‑protection norms was the unique engine that made Palantir effective for governments.
- Karp emphasizes the backend integration plus privacy controls as the core capability powering many countries' counterterror efforts.
Build Societal Relevance Not Just Technical Elegance
- Build societally relevant software that buyers will adopt even if they don't fully understand it.
- Karp argues enterprise products must solve high‑value public problems to break through incumbent distribution and sales power.