Palantir CTO claims some AI researchers smoke to signal faith in AI

Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar said in a televised interview that some AI researchers have taken up smoking to show confidence that artificial intelligence will eventually cure cancer. Sankar did not provide evidence or name researchers, and described the trend as part of a larger 'mass psychosis' and quasi-religious belief in AI's potential. The claim is anecdotal and its scope is unclear.

• Shyam Sankar made the claim on 'Face the Nation'
• No evidence or researcher names were provided
• His comments framed the trend as symbolic, not health advice
• Sankar referenced a 'mass psychosis' around AI
• The claim's prevalence among AI researchers is unclear