Working with the American army was taboo for the technological sector. Employees of companies like Google have agonized to work with the American national security establishment, going so far as to launch demonstrations against management.
Times have changed: now, American, large and small technology companies, fortunately join forces with American government agencies. The developers of US Big Tech and AI sign agreements with the Ministry of Defense (or the Ministry of War Recommended) and other national security agencies, and investors accumulate in technological defense companies like Palantant.
“The Silicon Valley has really changed,” said Megan Milam on Wednesday, main vice-president of government relations at Andundil Industries, with fortune Brainstorm Tech Conference in Park City, Utah. “We have gone from Andundil being the most controversial company of technology six years ago, to a lot of enthusiasm and excitement around what we are doing right now.”
The speakers have underlined the increase in world conflicts, perhaps better illustrated by the Russia war in Ukraine, for a cause of this change. “Over the past 10 years, we have gone from world war against terrorism to almost competition with China,” said Milam.
“There is a ton of money paid in defense of venture capital at the moment,” said Steve Simoni, founder of Allen Control Systems, who designs robotic weapons. “Conflicts are increasing, and as an investor in venture capital, it seems that you would better put flea or you will miss.”
A global increase in arms expenditure
Weapons spending is increasing worldwide, stimulated by conflicts like the war in Ukraine. World military spending reached a record of $ 2.7 billion in 2024, according to Le Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The United States has the largest part of the world’s military spending at 37%.
China, constantly quoted by Wednesday speakers as a threat and a motivation factor behind the interest in defense technology, is a distant second at 12%, although Beijing spent more for defense than most other countries.
The increase in military spending is also good for companies. Palantant actions increased by around 120% this year. It is not only in the United States: German Rheinmetall and South Korea aerospace are respectively up 210% and 180% for the year.
Chinese aviation and defense actions jumped earlier this year after Pakistan used J-10C jets in the country to shoot India planes.
Always controversial
However, defense work remains controversial for American technological companies. Last year, Google dismissed several employees for protesting the work of the technological company with the Israeli army in the midst of the invasion of Gaza by the latter.
More recently, users castigated Oura on social networks after the portable technology company announced an extended partnership with the US Defense Ministry, including a new factory based in the United States in Texas, as well as a new link with Palantir to measure “analysis at the level of the risk and preparation population”. Users of our expressed their concerns about what their health data can possibly make their way in the hands of the US government.
In Brainstorm Tech on Monday, the CEO of Oura, Tom Hale, described the rumors of “totally exaggerated”.
“We will never sell your data to anyone, never,” he said.
