{
  "id": 5560083,
  "title": "Sam Altman says AI needs to do more than cure cancer to win over skeptics",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/sam-altman-says-ai-needs-to-do-more-than-cure-cancer-to-win-over",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-04T12:41:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-sam-altman-cure-cancer-ai-backlash-2026-9"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated that the AI industry should not aim merely to cure cancer to win over public skepticism. Trust in AI has diminished due to data center protests, school bans, and job market concerns. While curing cancer is a positive outcome, Altman believes the technology should aim for more, such as boosting creativity and entrepreneurship. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 40% of Americans anticipate AI will have a negative societal impact, while only 16% see a positive outcome. Altman emphasized the importance of giving people autonomy and power through AI, as people rightfully fear leaders who might not prioritize their well-being.",
  "summary": "The OpenAI CEO says that the AI industry should aim higher than curing cancer as the technology increasingly faces public backlash.",
  "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."
}