Latest news with #Sankar
New York Post
12 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
Silicon Valley's enthusiasm for Pentagon is just beginning
In the span of a few years, Silicon Valley executives have shifted from viewing Pentagon collaboration as war-mongering to joining the US Army Reserve. And if the response Palantir chief technology officer Shyam Sankar — who has joined the newly formed Detachment 201: Executive Innovation Corps — has received is any indication, the tech industry's enthusiasm is just beginning. Sankar told me he has been inundated with messages from people in the industry who want to do the same. 'Hundreds of people have reached out to me,' he said. 'Service is contagious and people respond.' Advertisement 7 Palantir chief technology officer Shyam Sankar he has been inundated with messages from people in the tech industry interested in serving in the Army Reserve: 'Hundreds of people have reached out to me.' Getty Images for 137 Ventures/Founders Fund/Jacob Helberg Last Friday, Sankar was sworn into Detachment 201, along with Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth, OpenAI Chief Product Officer Kevin Weil and Bob McGrew, OpenAI's former Chief Research Office. The four will serve part-time as senior advisors. The purpose of the new initiative, the Army said in a statement, 'is to fuse cutting-edge tech expertise with military innovation.' Sankar envisions a future where the Department of Defense will prioritize recruiting in the Bay Area. Advertisement 'You need to be where the innovative talent is,' he said. 'We have the facilities they don't have.' 7 OpenAI chief product officer Kevin Weil is joining the US Army Reserve as a part-time senior advisor. Getty Images for HumanX Conference This surge of patriotism marks a dramatic change for an industry that has, in recent years, shunned defense tech firms. Scale CEO Alexandr Wang told me his company's decision to work with the Department of Defense five years ago was enormously controversial at the time. Advertisement 7 Meta Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth is joining Sankar at the newly formed Detachment 201: Executive Innovation Corps. REUTERS 'We were a bit of a pariah in the AI industry because all the other AI companies were were going the other way. They were moving away from working with on defense or security applications,' Wang said. 'And now I'm seeing that pendulum swing back where, even in Silicon Valley, there's a clear recognition and moral imperative that we need to be utilizing AI to support, support our war fighters, support our natural security mission.' Over the past year, OpenAI secured a $200 million contract with the DoD to develop AI capabilities for national security, marking its first major government contract. Advertisement 7 In the last year, OpenAI — where Sam Altman is CEO — secured a $200 million contract with the Department of Defense. Getty Images Meta partnered with Anduril Industries to develop augmented reality (AR) products for US military use. Google has re-entered the defense sector by reversing earlier AI policies that prevented it from supporting national security. That's a big switch from 2018, when Google walked away from the Pentagon's Project Maven (which used AI and machine learning for military targeting) after thousands of employees — touting the company's 'Don't be evil' mantra — signed a letter demanding the company abandon the project. David Ulevitch founded a16z's American Dynamism firm, which invests in founders and companies that support the national interest, including in the fields of aerospace, defense, public safety, education and housing. He told me that Google's overreaction was a 'watershed moment' that spurred others in the industry to return to working on defense and warfare. 7 In 2018 Google walked away from the Pentagon's Project Maven after thousands of employees — touting the company's 'Don't be evil' mantra — signed a letter demanding the company abandon the project. JOHN G MABANGLO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock 'The history of Silicon Valley is rooted in supporting the national interest ,' he said, 'but somewhere along the way, many lost sight of that. 'Founders have realized that building in the national interest doesn't just feel good and patriotic — which it is — but represents a generational opportunity to build the iconic companies that will power and advance our country for decades to come.' Advertisement During World War II, Frederick Terman, the Stanford engineering dean often called the 'father of Silicon Valley,' built a defense tech ecosystem at the university, securing government contracts and establishing the Stanford Industrial Park. And companies like Hewlett-Packard, Varian Associates, Shockley Semiconductor and Fairchild Semiconductor supplied critical electronics for military radar, missiles and communication systems. 7 Alexandr Wang said concerns over China and the geopolitical tensions have pushed tech leaders to work with the US government. REUTERS This story is part of NYNext, an indispensable insider insight into the innovations, moonshots and political chess moves that matter most to NYC's power players (and those who aspire to be). The stakes might be higher now, with AI's potential to transform governance or even create an extinction event. And many tech leaders have worked with China — and recognize how that country doesn't play fair. Advertisement Wang warned: 'If China gets ahead and America's brightest minds don't tackle national security, what does that world look like?' Silicon Valley's embrace of patriotism coincides with a cultural shift as companies crack down on all things 'woke,' decreasing DEI requirements and curtailing climate pledges. Of course, along with patriotism comes the potential for enormous profit. 7 The Department of Defense, headquartered in the Pentagon, has a budget of nearly a trillion dollars each year. Getty Images/iStockphoto Advertisement Palantir, which relies on the government for more than 40% of its revenue, has come under scrutiny — with lawmakers asking the company to share details of a project that could help the government create a database of Americans, according to a New York Times report. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) has concerns about data privacy and tech companies getting too close to the government, emphasizing the need for a balance between innovation and security. 'You can innovate while safeguarding information,' he told me. He said technologies like blockchain, which could track access to American data, offer a promising solution to enhance privacy protections. Relying on American companies is arguably the best way to do that. Advertisement 'Ninety percent of all tech is American… it's one of our greatest assets,' Sankar said. 'This is about the importance and primacy of people. When we look at history, innovators like John Boyd, who created the F-16, [have from] the private sector.' Send NYNext a tip: nynextlydia@
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
US Army's nerd force; Palantir, Meta, OpenAI tech bosses join Executive Innovation Corps, one sold knives in college
Army forms Detachment 201 to bridge civil-military tech divide The US Army officially launched Detachment 201: Executive Innovation Corps on June 13, 2025, as part of its broader Army Transformation Initiative. The new reserve unit aims to integrate top technology executives into the Army Reserve to support innovation and modernization across military operations. Participants are commissioned as part-time lieutenant colonels and will serve as strategic advisors, offering insight into emerging technologies and supporting the development of tech-driven defense capabilities. Also read: US Space Force: US admits China the preeminent space power with powerful weapons by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Moose Approaches Girl At Bus Stop In National Capital Region - Watch What Happens Happy in Shape Four prominent figures from the tech industry were sworn in as the inaugural members of the Executive Innovation Corps. The founding cohort includes Shyam Sankar, Chief Technology Officer at Palantir; Andrew Bosworth, Chief Technology Officer of Meta; Kevin Weil, Chief Product Officer at OpenAI; and Bob McGrew , former Chief Research Officer at OpenAI and current advisor at Thinking Machines Lab. Here's more about who they are and why they are chosen to be the new nerds for US Army's invasion into military tech: Live Events Shyam Sankar: from Systems Engineer to Palantir's Chief Technologist Shyam Sankar is Chief Technology Officer of Palantir Technologies and one of the most vocal advocates for revitalizing the US defense industrial base. His professional journey reflects a deep commitment to applied technology, national resilience, and transformation of how government institutions work with private-sector software. Sankar holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell University and a Master of Science in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University. His career began in the early 2000s with ZeroChaos as a developer and later transitioned into business roles at Xoom Corporation, including VP of Network Management for Asia Pacific. These formative roles gave him early exposure to financial technology, distributed systems, and emerging markets. In 2006, Sankar joined Palantir Technologies, then a relatively young company, as Chief Operating Officer. For nearly 17 years, he played a leading role in building Palantir into one of the most prominent defense-tech software firms in the world. His work spanned operations, product strategy, and client engagement, particularly with national security and military institutions. In 2023, he was named Chief Technology Officer. Also read: China develops military tech to advance its aggressive cause Sankar is also Chairman of Ginkgo Bioworks, a synthetic biology firm, and a trustee at the Hudson Institute, reflecting his broader interests in biotechnology and strategic policy. He is a frequent public voice on the urgent need to modernize the defense industrial base in the face of rising geopolitical threats and technological stagnation. His commissioning into the Army Reserve's Executive Innovation Corps as a lieutenant colonel represents a formal extension of his work to bridge civilian and military technology. Sankar's perspective is shaped by his belief that the US must reawaken its Cold War-era spirit of industrial mobilization. His work champions speed, utility, and interoperability in defense software, values he sees as essential for modern warfighting and deterrence. Andrew Bosworth: from sales rep to Meta's Chief Technologist Andrew Bosworth, widely known in the tech industry as 'Boz,' is Chief Technology Officer at Meta and one of the company's most senior engineering leaders. His journey from selling knives door-to-door to leading Meta 's long-term technology vision highlights a career defined by relentless execution, product innovation, and scale. Bosworth's career began not in Silicon Valley, but with a headset and a kitchen demo kit. As a field sales manager at Vector Marketing, he sold Cutco knives door-to-door during college. His ability to train, motivate, and manage sales teams, while personally driving over $40,000 in individual sales in just 12 weeks, laid an early foundation in high-performance communication and leadership. He went on to manage over 100 representatives and helped drive $1 million in summer sales, giving him a rare edge in people operations and team dynamics. He graduated from Harvard University in 2004 with an A.B. in Computer Science, concentrating on the study of mind, brain, and behavior. Post-graduation, Bosworth joined Microsoft as a software design engineer on the Visio team, contributing to layout and routing systems for a $350 million-a-year product. The role gave him deep exposure to large-scale codebases and mission-critical software design. Also read: Trump awards Boeing $20 billion contract for Air Force's next-gen F-47 fighter jet to counter China's military advances In 2006, he joined Facebook as one of its earliest engineers. He was instrumental in building core products such as News Feed, Groups, and Messaging, some of the most widely used social features in the world. Over the next 16 years, he expanded into leadership roles spanning infrastructure, machine learning, and ultimately hardware. In 2017, Bosworth was tapped to lead Meta's Reality Labs division, overseeing Oculus virtual reality development and the company's push into augmented reality. His work helped shape Meta's strategy toward immersive computing and the broader vision of the metaverse. Appointed Chief Technology Officer in January 2022, Bosworth today oversees Meta's investment in foundational technologies like AI, AR/VR, and wearable computing. He is a key driver of Meta's efforts to evolve from a social media company to a platform for spatial and intelligent computing. His recent commissioning into the US Army Reserve's Executive Innovation Corps as a lieutenant colonel reflects a growing recognition that defense transformation requires private-sector technologists with deep operating experience. Bosworth's unique combination of frontline sales, engineering discipline, and executive leadership makes him one of the rare technologists equally comfortable pitching products and building platforms that touch billions. Kevin Weil: from Twitter visionary to OpenAI's Product Strategist Kevin Weil serves as Chief Product Officer at OpenAI, bringing over a decade of experience building consumer-scale products at the intersection of data, design, and emerging technology. At OpenAI, he leads the development and delivery of AI tools like ChatGPT and the OpenAI API, helping shape how billions will interact with artificial intelligence. Also read: Drone disaster? Famed U.S. Army faces backlash as ... Weil graduated from Harvard with a degree in physics and began his career as a software engineer. He rose to prominence during his tenure at Twitter, where he served as SVP of Product, helping shape its core timeline and ads platform during a period of exponential user growth. His product leadership was marked by an emphasis on simplicity, velocity, and impact. He later held executive roles at Instagram, where he helped build Stories and explore new formats, and at Facebook's blockchain initiative, Novi. At each stop, Weil's focus has been on making cutting-edge tech accessible, intuitive, and scalable for everyday users. At OpenAI, he is responsible for translating advanced research into widely-used products. Under his guidance, the company has rapidly expanded access to AI systems through partnerships, developer platforms, and consumer apps. His product instincts play a key role in how OpenAI balances innovation with responsible deployment. Weil was recently commissioned into the US Army Reserve as part of the Executive Innovation Corps. His inclusion signals the military's intent to work with product thinkers capable of rapid iteration, interface design, and aligning advanced technology with real-world usability. Bob McGrew: from OpenAI research to strategic AI advising Bob McGrew is an AI veteran whose work spans some of the most important frontiers of machine learning and safety. As the former Chief Research Officer at OpenAI, he led research programs focused on alignment, large language models, and responsible AI deployment efforts that helped lay the groundwork for tools like GPT-4 and reinforcement learning techniques. McGrew holds a Ph.D. in computer science from Stanford University, where his research focused on algorithmic game theory and computational economics. Before OpenAI, he worked at Facebook and other Silicon Valley labs where he applied ML at scale. At OpenAI, McGrew was instrumental in setting long-term research agendas and leading collaborations with academia, government, and other research institutions. He became known for his pragmatic approach to research translation: pushing theoretical work toward real-world impact. Now an advisor at Thinking Machines Lab, a Manila-based AI consultancy, McGrew focuses on building AI solutions for development, sustainability, and national resilience. His global perspective on AI's impact makes him a valuable bridge between frontier research and practical deployment. Recently, McGrew joined the US Army Reserve's Executive Innovation Corps as a lieutenant colonel. His background in both technical research and ethical AI frameworks positions him to advise on military AI applications that are safe, explainable, and aligned with democratic values.
Business Insider
10-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
New Buy Rating for Apple (AAPL), the Technology Giant
TD Cowen analyst Krish Sankar maintained a Buy rating on Apple (AAPL – Research Report) today. The company's shares closed yesterday at $201.45. Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter Sankar covers the Technology sector, focusing on stocks such as Apple, Micron, and Seagate Tech. According to TipRanks, Sankar has an average return of 15.8% and a 57.42% success rate on recommended stocks. The word on The Street in general, suggests a Moderate Buy analyst consensus rating for Apple with a $228.79 average price target, representing a 13.57% upside. In a report released yesterday, Monness also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a $245.00 price target. The company has a one-year high of $260.10 and a one-year low of $169.21. Currently, Apple has an average volume of 62M. Based on the recent corporate insider activity of 38 insiders, corporate insider sentiment is negative on the stock. This means that over the past quarter there has been an increase of insiders selling their shares of AAPL in relation to earlier this year. Last month, Chris Kondo, the CAO of AAPL sold 4,486.00 shares for a total of $933,940.34.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Govt appoints RBI DG T Rabi Sankar as 16th Finance Commission member
NEW DELHI: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) deputy governor T Rabi Sankar was Saturday appointed as a part time member of the 16th Finance Commission, a finance ministry statement said. He will hold office from the date of assuming charge until the submission of the commission's report or Oct 31, 2025, whichever is earlier. Sankar's appointment is to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of one of the full-time members of the commission, Ajay Narayan Jha, on personal grounds. The commission was constituted on Dec 31, 2023. The commission is mandated to submit its recommendations by Oct 31, 2025, for the award period of five years, commencing from April 1, 2026. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
India Gazette
07-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
RBI's T Rabi Sankar appointed as part-time member of 16th Finance Commission
New Delhi [India], June 7 (ANI): T Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has been appointed as a part-time Member of the Sixteenth Finance Commission on Saturday. The appointment of Sankar is consequent to the resignation of one of the full-time Members of the XVIFC, Ajay Narayan Jha, on personal grounds. The Department of Economic Affairs of the Finance Ministry in a notification said, 'In pursuance of clause (1) of article 280 of the Constitution read with the provisions of the Finance Commission (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1951 (33 of 1951), the President is pleased to appoint T Rabi Sankar as a part-time Member of the Sixteenth Finance Commission.' He will be a part-time Member of the Sixteenth Finance Commission from the date of appointment to the date the Commission submits its report or 31 October 2025, whichever is earlier. Sankar is currently overseeing the key portfolios of the FinTech Department, the Financial Markets Operations Department, and the Financial Markets Regulation Department at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Sankar has played a pivotal role in the launch of the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). In April, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved T. Rabi Sankar's reappointment as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for one year. Sankar was Executive Director of the Reserve Bank before being elevated to the post of Deputy Governor in 2021. T. Rabi Sankar, a seasoned central banker, joined the Bank in 1990 and has held various positions at the Reserve Bank of India. As Executive Director, he oversaw the Department of Payment and Settlement Systems, the Department of Information Technology, Fintech, and the Risk Monitoring Department at the RBI. The government appointed Arvind Panagariya as the Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission in 2023. The commission makes recommendations about the distribution of the net proceeds of taxes between the Union and the States. The Finance Commission is constituted by the President under article 280 of the Constitution, mainly to give its recommendations on the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States and amongst the States themselves. Two distinctive features of the Commission's work involve redressing the vertical imbalances between the taxation powers and expenditure responsibilities of the centre and the States, respectively, and equalisation of all public services across the States. (ANI)
