Palantir CEO Says Europe Has Opted Out of U.S.-China AI Race

A video published Oct. 23 shows Palantir CEO Alex Karp casting artificial intelligence (AI) as a U.S.-China race and criticizing Europe as the EU pursues measures to build technology capacity.

Karp described the United States and China as dominant in AI, with Israel a “minor exception.” In the video, he said, “You can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped.” During a Sept. 17 appearance, he said, “Europe has decided to not participate.”

Karp framed Europe’s position as a question of participation in the AI race.

The debate has practical stakes for Palantir’s public-sector business. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced June 16 that ChapsVision had been selected by the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) as a substitute for Palantir. Palantir announced Dec. 15, 2025, that its DGSI contract had been renewed for multiple years. The French announcement did not specify a transition date.

Palantir’s second-quarter results show companywide growth but do not break out its European business. For the quarter ended June 30, 2026, total revenue rose 93% year over year to $1.935 billion. U.S. commercial revenue increased 149% to $764 million. The 93% figure covers total company revenue; Palantir reports geographic revenue as the United States and rest of world, leaving Europe’s contribution unspecified.

The EU’s policy combines rules with efforts to build its technology capacity. The AI Act became applicable Aug. 2, 2026, while requirements for certain high-risk uses are scheduled to apply Dec. 2, 2027. Rules for AI embedded in regulated products are scheduled for Aug. 2, 2028. Separately, on June 3, the European Commission proposed a package to build EU capacity in semiconductors, AI, cloud computing and open-source software.