Business Insider · 12 Oct, 11:31 · Artificial Intelligence briefing

Palantir CTO says some AI researchers are taking up smoking because they expect AI to cure cancer

Palantir’s Chief Technology Officer recently suggested that a segment of AI researchers has resumed smoking, operating under the assumption that artificial intelligence will soon develop effective cures for cancer.

25–40%salary premium for professionals with applied AI skills
11xgrowth in AI job adverts since 2019
66%of leaders won't hire without AI literacy
20days to your first credential
The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Palantir’s Chief Technology Officer recently suggested that a segment of AI researchers has resumed smoking, operating under the assumption that artificial intelligence will soon develop effective cures for cancer. This anecdote, This claim, reported by Business Insider, highlights a concerning intersection of technological overconfidence and personal health negligence. It suggests that some experts believe imminent AI breakthroughs in medicine will negate the long-term risks of lifestyle choices. For professionals, this story serves as a stark reminder of the gap between technological hype and current medical reality, underscoring the need for grounded expectations regarding AI’s immediate capabilities in healthcare and personal well-being.

Employer demand for AI Strategy skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)
20191x20201.3x20211.9x20222.7x20233.9x20245.5x20257.9x202610.7x
Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must distinguish between speculative AI potential and current clinical reality. This story signals that critical thinking and risk assessment are becoming vital soft skills, even for technical experts. Professionals in healthcare, data science, and leadership should pay close attention to how hype influences decision-making. Do not let optimism blind you to established health guidelines or operational risks. Instead, focus on developing robust governance frameworks for AI adoption. Understand the limitations of current predictive models in medicine. A smart professional would prioritise evidence-based practices over techno-utopian promises. Strengthen your ability to evaluate AI claims critically. Ensure your team maintains a balanced perspective, integrating technological innovation with proven health and safety standards. This approach protects both organisational reputation and individual well-being in an era of rapid, often exaggerated, technological change.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are AI Strategy, Healthcare Management, Risk Management Strategies and Compliance And Governance — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below
AI Strategy+35%Healthcare Management+24%Risk Management Strate…+33%Compliance And Governa…+25%

This briefing is based on reporting by Business Insider on 12 Oct, 11:31. Read the original coverage →

Read the news. Then outrun it.

Every OnlineUni programme is online, self-paced and from £79 — so a headline today can be your credential this month.

The best time to start the next one is before you finish this one.

The hardest part, building the study habit, is already behind you.

Chat with Admissions

OnlineUni Admissions

Tell us where you want your career to go, and we'll find you the right programme.

Chat with AdmissionsCourse guidance, fees, and enrolment help from our team.
Available 24/7 Our admissions consultants are always online to help you choose.
OnlineUni · a TilGlobal brand

Tell us about yourself to get started

OnlineUni · a TilGlobal brand