AI data firm Palantir sues ex-employees, alleging they stole business secrets

Peter Thiel’s data firm, Palantir, has sued two former employees, accusing them of stealing trade secrets and violating noncompete agreements to create a rival AI company called Percepta, which is backed by General Catalyst.

In the New York lawsuit, Palantir claims that ex-employees Radha Jain and Joanna Cohen used their access to its proprietary source code, internal systems, and customer workflows to build a “copycat” AI platform.

The AI company, a key data and AI contractor for the US military, is seeking a court order to block further breaches, force the return of stolen materials, and protect its trade secrets.

The case reflects a growing lawfare over AI intellectual property, with firms such as Elon Musk’s xAI also suing former employees for similar alleged misconduct.