{
  "id": 13949704,
  "title": "Palantir CTO says some AI researchers are taking up smoking because they expect AI to cure cancer",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/palantir-cto-says-some-ai-researchers-are-taking-up-smoking-because",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-12T11:31:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-researchers-smoking-ai-cure-cancer-palantir-cto-2026-10"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Palantir Technologies' Chief Technology Officer, Shyam Sankar, claims that some researchers working in artificial intelligence have taken up smoking as a statement of their faith in AI's ability to cure cancer. According to Sankar, the act of smoking serves as a symbol that their AI efforts are fully committed. While smoking continues to be a leading cause of preventable disease and death, Sankar's comments reflect a growing trend of tech professionals adopting seemingly counterproductive behaviors, such as cold plunges and sleep tracking, that defy conventional health practices. Notably, Sankar criticizes the \"mass psychosis\" surrounding AI within Silicon Valley, accusing safety advocates of treating artificial general intelligence (AGI) like a divine entity.",
  "summary": "Some AI believers expect the technology to make smoking-related health risks like cancer a thing of the past, Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar said.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}