Tilt the scales? – This is how data octopus Palantir intervenes in the war in Ukraine

Little Ukraine’s effectiveness against supposedly all-powerful Russia surprised even some military analysts. One reason why the offensive war has largely come to a standstill, and why Kiev is even able to recapture areas, could be the use of technology from the US. With the help of the company Palantir, data can be analyzed faster and more effectively when it comes to making military decisions.

The use of artificial intelligence is no secret at all. As recently as February, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov confirmed cooperation with the US software company – according to media reports, Ukraine will be provided with the “Meta-Constellation” software free of charge. Palantir has already opened its own office in Kiev.

AI warns of hostile activity
In war operations, data such as satellite and thermal images, video from surveillance cameras or intelligence reports are collected to make military decisions. Palantir software can help analyze this data quickly and present it in a concise format. For example, patterns can be recognized that indicate hostile activities or predictions can be made about future developments.

For example, according to Fedorov, the software is used in Ukraine “to provide the military with more accurate and detailed target information.” much more precise. “The most important weapons are not tanks or artillery systems, but data and technology – these are tools that change the course of the war,” said Ukraine’s prime minister.

Video reveals technical possibilities
Palantir is aiming for big business with its development – it has already been able to sell its security services to the US immigration and customs authorities and wants to gain a foothold in the Pentagon with its military know-how. On Tuesday, the company released a video of its latest offering, the Palantir Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP). It shows how the system can be applied to the modern battlefield.

A soldier sees enemy troops and asks the ChatGPT-style digital assistant for help deploying reconnaissance drones and devising tactics. The AI ​​immediately sends a ‘Reaper’ drone on a reconnaissance mission, takes better images and based on that suggests a response if, for example, an armored vehicle is discovered.

AI should not decide for itself
The system works in a similar way to facial recognition software. With just one click, soldiers even get the exact target coordinates and guns or drones can be selected to attack the newly discovered target.

The AI ​​system needs to become more reliable from use to use. As the company explains, the results of the missions are fed into the network to further optimize the software’s prediction models. The company emphasizes that the AI ​​does not act independently – after all, there is a “human in the loop” who then makes the actual decisions. In the video itself, however, this follows all suggestions – a human influence is hardly recognizable.

Sell ​​only to Western democracies?
While Russia continues to rely on analog warfare technology, every battalion in the Ukrainian army should have at least one computer specialist in its ranks. So you’re able to hit up to 300 targets a day, it is said – this would be a huge advancement compared to previous warfare.

Palantir emphasizes that it acts “ethically and legally correct”. They want to sell such highly developed algorithmic warfare systems only to Western democracies and their allies – this includes secret services, armies and government agencies.