The OODA loop stands for Observe, Orient, Decide, Act. It is a decision-making process pioneered by Colonel John Boyd in the 70s and 80s. In a military context, it emphasizes the importance of making decisions faster than the adversary. AI helps accelerate this process by improving targeting, damage assessment, and logistics, enabling faster and more efficient decision-making.
Palantir's AI technology enhances military operations by enabling faster decision-making through the OODA loop. It uses sophisticated computer vision and sensor fusion algorithms to identify targets, process large amounts of data, and prioritize logistics. For example, it reduced a division's footprint from 400 to 20 people, making them harder to detect and more effective in the field.
Concerns about AI in warfare include the potential for 'digital dehumanization' and escalation of conflicts. Palantir addresses these by ensuring human commanders remain in control, using AI as a tool to augment human decision-making rather than replace it. They also emphasize adherence to legal and ethical standards, such as the laws of armed conflict.
AI is being widely adopted in commercial industries, particularly in the U.S., to improve efficiency and productivity. For example, AI is used in healthcare to manage patient discharge summaries and revenue lifecycle management, and in manufacturing to inspect welds in seconds instead of minutes. Companies like United Airlines, Ferrari, and Kohl's are leveraging AI to gain competitive advantages.
Palantir's AI boot camps are designed to help customers build production-ready AI use cases in just eight hours. The goal is to move beyond theoretical discussions and provide hands-on experience with AI, demonstrating its potential beyond chatbots. Participants leave with practical applications that can be integrated into their workflows.
Runway's AI technology, such as its Act One algorithm, allows filmmakers to translate performances into animated characters without the need for motion capture or rigging. This significantly reduces the time and cost of production, enabling creators to focus on storytelling rather than technical processes. It was used in the Oscar-winning film 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' for tasks like rotoscoping.
AI has the potential to democratize filmmaking by reducing costs and enabling more people to create high-quality content. While it may disrupt traditional roles, it also opens up new opportunities for storytelling and innovation. For example, AI can generate real-time video, creating personalized experiences that were previously impossible.
The biggest challenge of AI adoption in organizations is the need for a behavioral shift rather than just technological implementation. Leaders must foster a learning culture and encourage employees to integrate AI into their workflows. Without this mindset change, AI adoption will remain limited to specific use cases rather than driving broader organizational transformation.
Industries leading in AI adoption include technology, pharmaceuticals, and banking. These sectors have seen significant improvements in R&D, pattern recognition, and operational efficiency. For example, AI has accelerated drug discovery in pharmaceuticals and optimized financial processes in banking. However, industries like agriculture have seen less incremental lift due to prior optimizations.
In the next five to ten years, AI is expected to revolutionize media and entertainment by enabling real-time video generation and personalized storytelling. This will create a new media format that blends elements of film and video games, offering unique, on-the-fly experiences. The technology will continue to evolve, making high-quality content creation more accessible and affordable.
Join Washington Post Live in New York for conversations with Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar, Runway CEO Cristóbal Valenzuela and top economic experts about the impact of AI on companies across industries and America’s global technological competitiveness.
Conversation recorded on Thursday, December 5, 2024.