Technology company Palantir published a 22-point manifesto calling for autonomous weapons and deep integration between big tech and government, sparking global outrage. The doctrine has intensified debate about Silicon Valley's growing power and its ties to militaries accused of war crimes.
This week on UpFront, Redi Tlhabi talks to economist and former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis about what Palantir's manifesto really reveals and why Varoufakis believes big tech companies are promoting an ideology comparable to the racial hierarchies of Nazism and apartheid.
“We are witnessing a new era of technolords, where data and algorithms become the main tool of power,” says Varoufakis.
The manifesto includes developing autonomous weapons systems and widespread use of AI in government decision-making. Critics warn this threatens human rights and international law.
