Met Police in Advanced Talks to Acquire Palantir AI for Criminal Intelligence
The Metropolitan Police has engaged in discussions with Palantir that could result in the London force purchasing the American spy-tech firm's artificial intelligence technology. This AI system is designed to automate intelligence analysis for criminal investigations, according to exclusive information obtained by the Guardian.
Demonstrations and Internal Concerns
Palantir, whose software is utilized by Donald Trump's ICE immigration enforcement program and the Israeli military, presented its systems to senior officers within the intelligence division of the UK's largest police force last month. Intelligence staff have been assigned the task of identifying intelligence systems that could be automated by AI to boost productivity.
These talks have sparked internal apprehension about permitting a controversial US company to handle highly sensitive intelligence data related to crimes, including personal information of victims.
Existing Contracts and Expansion Plans
Palantir already provides experimental AI to Scotland Yard aimed at detecting rogue officers. There are internal expectations that the company may be requested to substantially expand its role, potentially leading to a multimillion-pound contract.
The discussions occur amidst increasing public and political scrutiny of Palantir's rapid growth in public contracts with the NHS, Ministry of Defence, local councils, and smaller police forces. These contracts are collectively valued at over £500 million.
Political and Public Backlash
Last week, Members of Parliament demanded that ministers cancel NHS England's £330 million deal to manage patient and other health data. This demand stems from anger over the company's associations with Trump and the Israeli military, coupled with concerns about patient privacy.
Until recently, Palantir engaged Global Counsel, a consultancy co-founded by Peter Mandelson, for lobbying services. This week, MPs intensified calls for the government to review its Palantir contracts after the company published a manifesto on X praising the benefits of US power and suggesting some cultures were inferior. Parliamentarians labeled the manifesto as "the ramblings of a super villain" and "a disturbing narcissistic rant."
Current Usage and Mixed Reception
Smaller police forces, such as Bedfordshire, are already employing Palantir's technology to aid investigations and have commended its effectiveness. However, the reception within the NHS has been inconsistent. While Palantir claims its software has facilitated 110,000 additional operations and reduced discharge delays, some NHS staff have raised complaints about the tools, and several hospital trusts have not yet implemented them.
Palantir's £240 million contract with the Ministry of Defence, aimed at deploying military AI systems for strategic, tactical, and live operational decision-making, was signed after Mandelson took Keir Starmer to visit the company's showroom in Washington DC last year. Mandelson, then the UK ambassador to the US, was later dismissed due to his association with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Internal Skepticism and Alternative Views
Some Metropolitan intelligence officials believe that significant enhancements in how the London force manages intelligence data could be achieved without involving a major US contractor like Palantir. "We don't need £100 million AI," a source stated. "We would like the more basic systems we already have to work properly."
Broader Context and Government Support
The Met's talks with Palantir coincide with the force exploring methods to automate intelligence analysis across a wide spectrum of criminal activities and fast-moving emergency situations. Scotland Yard is understood to be rapidly advancing toward embracing AI automation in its intelligence units. If a deal is finalized, it would mark a substantial expansion of Palantir's involvement in UK law enforcement.
In January, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood urged police to "ramp up use of AI" and adopt the technology "at pace and scale." A strategy for the future of policing includes establishing a national center, referred to by some as "Police.AI," and a £115 million investment to "create a platform for identifying, testing and then scaling AI technology."
The government asserts that this initiative will lead to more criminals being apprehended, accelerated investigations, reduced bureaucratic hurdles, and improved services for victims and witnesses. Eleven smaller police forces in England and Wales have begun using Palantir's technology in investigations. However, extending Palantir's role to the Met, with its 46,000 officers and staff, would represent a significantly larger undertaking.
With no deal confirmed, the Metropolitan Police declined to confirm or deny the talks with Palantir. The company also declined to comment.
