Palmer Luckey Receives President’s Award for Excellence in Freedom During President’s Speaker Series Event

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, president Jim Gash (JD ’93) welcomed American inventor, innovator, and entrepreneur Palmer Luckey for the first installment of the President’s Speaker Series of the 2024–2025 academic year. Luckey, the founder of defense technology company Anduril Industries, designer of the Oculus Rift virtual reality head-mounted display, and the Founder of Oculus VR, discussed ethical applications of AI in the defense and weapons industry, his journey to success, and his views on freedom.

Palmer Luckey

In an interview with President Gash before a live audience of 400 at Smothers Theatre and live streamed on YouTube and X, Luckey began the conversation by discussing his unconventional journey to success, which included homeschooling and an early interest in journalism. He discovered, however, that a traditional education wasn’t the best fit for his ambitions. He attributed his success in developing a virtual reality headset and thriving in a challenging industry to his ability to think outside the bounds of conventional systems, unencumbered by the need for formal credentials.

“I didn’t focus on the next step in VR technology, but instead researched and tackled the fundamental issues that had plagued the industry," he said. “I represent the ‘outside the system’ guy. I’m not going to work on the thing that’s here and now. I’m going to work on where I think it’s going.”

Reflecting on his career, Luckey explained his motivation to enter the defense and weapons industry, which eventually led to the founding of Anduril Industries, a defense technology company that specializes in advanced autonomous systems named after the protagonist’s sword from The Lord of the Rings. He emphasized that a strong sense of purpose drives his work at Anduril, as he is committed to addressing national security challenges through innovative technology.

Palmer Luckey and President Jim Gash

“We’re not just trying to build cool stuff. We’re doing it for a greater purpose, and we need to always remember that,” Luckey said. Luckey also addressed widespread misconceptions about incorporating AI into defense systems, pointing out that the true threat comes not only from falling behind in technology but also from individuals with harmful intentions exploiting underdeveloped AI. He stressed the importance of staying technologically ahead of adversaries for national security, noting that AI is already in the hands of hostile nations. Luckey argued that preventing AI’s development for positive uses would be detrimental, as advancing technology for the greater good is crucial to countering potential threats.

“Do I fear AI? I fear people using AI for bad purposes,” Luckey explained. “I’m not worried about more advanced AI being the problem. I’m worried about dumb AI being used by evil people. Good people need to have access to AI, and you don't want the bad people to have access, but unfortunately they already do.”

Luckey cited Howard Hughes and Walt Disney as major influences in his life due to their dedication to national service, noting both were “huge supporters of the nation and built things on their own dime that the government didn’t think was possible.” He also shared his view of freedom as "self-determination," emphasizing its importance for individuals, communities, and nations.

Luckey continued, “When you’re building a defense company, you’re not building weapons because the weapons are cool, because the blade is bright, or for the keenness of the edge. You’re doing it really for that which it protects.”

Palmer Luckey and President Jim Gash

The event concluded with Gash presenting Luckey with Pepperdine’s inaugural President’s Award for Excellence in Freedom. “Palmer, you have been a great defender of American values, and of freedom specifically, with not only your words but your actions,” said Gash. “We would all like to thank you for your immense efforts in ensuring—through unmatched innovation in defense technology—that ours is not the generation that sees freedom go extinct.“

The next President’s Speaker Series event will take place on Thursday, October 31, 2024, featuring Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt and Rick Caruso. For full broadcasts of Palmer Luckey’s conversation and previous events in the series, visit the President’s Speaker Series website.