1. United States
2. S.D.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the U.S. Army's recent appointment of four high-profile tech executives as lieutenant colonels in the Army Reserves. This decision, which involves the creation of a new military unit called Detachment 201 or the Executive Innovation Corps, raises serious questions about potential conflicts of interest and the erosion of privacy rights for American citizens. The individuals appointed include Andrew Bosworth from Meta, Shyam Sankar from Palantir, Kevin Weil from OpenAI, and Bob McGrew, an advisor at Thinking Machines Lab. These are not just any tech professionals, but executives from companies that have vast access to personal data and advanced AI capabilities. Their dual roles in private tech companies and the military could blur the lines between corporate interests and national security. While the Army states that this initiative aims to inspire more tech professionals to serve without leaving their careers, we must consider the implications. The integration of these executives into military operations could lead to unprecedented levels of surveillance and data mining of American citizens. The involvement of Palantir, a company known for its data analytics work with intelligence agencies, is particularly concerning. Furthermore, this move sets a dangerous precedent for the militarization of the tech industry. It risks creating a revolving door between Silicon Valley and the Pentagon, potentially compromising the independence of both sectors and raising ethical questions about the use of advanced technologies in warfare and domestic surveillance. I urge you to take immediate action to halt this program. We need a thorough, independent investigation into the potential risks and ethical implications of appointing tech executives to military positions. Congress should hold public hearings to examine the full scope of this initiative and its potential impact on civil liberties. The American people deserve transparency and assurance that their privacy rights will be protected. We must maintain a clear separation between private tech companies and military operations to preserve the integrity of our democratic institutions and prevent any misuse of technology against citizens. I implore you to act swiftly on this matter. The stakes are too high to allow this program to proceed without proper scrutiny and safeguards. Our democracy and the privacy of every American citizen depend on your immediate attention to this critical issue.