Palantir CIO Jim Siders on Leading a Hyper-Efficient IT Organization

Technovation with Peter High (CIO, CTO, CDO, CXO Interviews)

How does Palantir, a $3.7 billion data analytics powerhouse, run its own IT operations? In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High sits down with Jim Siders, Chief Information Officer of Palantir, to explore his unique journey from a career in music to leading one of the most efficient IT teams in the industry.

Jim discusses Palantir’s Customer Zero strategy, the company’s federated IT model, and how it has streamlined operations from 200+ IT staff to under 80 while continuing to scale. He also shares his views on AI’s role in IT, the elimination of traditional Centers of Excellence, and why breaking legacy IT structures is key to innovation.

Key Takeaways:

• Why Palantir’s IT team is “Customer Zero” and how it shapes the company’s products
• The radical efficiency model that reduced IT headcount while increasing impact
• How AI, cloud, and automation are redefining enterprise IT strategy
• Lessons from Jim’s unconventional career shift from classical music to CIO