Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus headsets, sold his gaming virtual reality company to Facebook for $2 billion in his early 20s. With his fortune, the 31-year-old founded Anduril, an artificial intelligence weapons company that produces autonomous weapons like drones and submarines. Anduril has gained attention for its innovative approach to making AI weapons, offering faster production at a lower cost compared to traditional defense contractors. The Pentagon has purchased Anduril's weapons, with some being sent to Ukraine. Despite the promise of AI weapons, critics argue that these technologies still face challenges and have not significantly changed the trajectory of warfare. Anduril's CEO, Brian Schimpf, acknowledges these difficulties but believes they can be overcome. The constantly evolving nature of the battlefield requires frequent updates to weapons systems, akin to software updates.

The use of AI weapons is seen as a complement rather than a replacement for traditional military equipment. Anduril's drones, specifically, have autonomous capabilities, allowing them to search for and engage targets without the need for human guidance. However, concerns about accountability and the potential for civilian casualties arise with the use of AI weapons. In response, organizations like Human Rights Watch advocate for the prohibition and regulation of autonomous weapons systems. Anduril also develops underwater drones that have been used by Ukraine to target the Russian navy in the Black Sea. Despite his involvement in business and politics, including supporting Donald Trump, Luckey claims that the outcome of the upcoming election does not greatly concern him, as AI weapons will continue to expand regardless of who wins.