A top technology executive says the United States must accelerate U.S. industrial and military production with artificial intelligence to maintain national security and deter global conflict. Shyam Sankar, Chief Technology Officer of Palantir, told Fox Business that leveraging AI on the “factory floor” is as critical as battlefield technology in staying ahead of rivals.
Sankar said the missing piece of America’s defense infrastructure isn’t just weapons but the ability to manufacture them fast enough to discourage adversaries from taking aggressive action. According to him, AI-driven planning and supply-chain optimization can shorten production cycles and strengthen deterrence.
The Palantir CTO emphasized that AI tools are empowering U.S. workers and reshaping industrial capacity, helping firms expand shifts, hire more domestic workers, and accelerate production planning. Sankar rejected narratives that AI will destroy jobs, instead framing the technology as a catalyst for reindustrialization and economic competitiveness.
Sankar pointed to partnerships between Palantir and branches of the U.S. military—including the Army, Navy, Air Force and Space Force—using AI to modernize operations and logistics. In these roles, artificial intelligence goes beyond analysis and planning, directly influencing how quickly platforms and systems can be brought to market or battlefield readiness.
His remarks come amid broader national security concerns about a global AI arms race. Analysts note competition with China and other rivals for advanced AI technology could define geopolitical power throughout the 21st century, with mastery of military AI potentially offering decisive strategic advantage.
Observers of defense policy argue that industrial readiness and rapid production serve as modern deterrence, akin to nuclear stockpiles in prior eras. As Sankar explained, the capacity to outbuild and outpace rivals may prevent escalation into major conflict, since adversaries will think twice before confronting a nation that can rapidly replenish and upgrade its defenses.
Sankar’s comments also touch on labor dynamics. He asserted that AI adoption in manufacturing and supply-chain planning can lead to more American jobs, as companies implement additional shifts and boost domestic hiring in sectors previously challenged by global competition.
The central theme of the discussion was clear: AI is not just about software or battlefield systems—it’s about end-to-end industrial speed that underpins economic strength and national security. Accelerating domestic AI manufacturing could enhance U.S. readiness, sustain alliances, and deter aggression without resorting to conflict.
