'People Just Sit And...': Palantir CEO Says Using AI More Is Like Having A Porn Addiction

Published 6 June 2026 · tech

'People Just Sit And...': Palantir CEO Says Using AI More Is Like Having A Porn Addiction Published By, Last Updated: June 06, 2026, 19:06 IST

'People Just Sit And...': Palantir CEO Says Using AI More Is Like Having A Porn Addiction Published By, Last Updated: June 06, 2026, 19:06 IST Palantir CEO Alex Karp warns against tokenmaxxing in AI, likening excessive use to a porn addiction, urging focus on real business value over rising token and compute spending. Palantir CEO Alex Karp. (Image: AFP) Palantir CEO Alex Karp has sparked debate in the tech industry after comparing excessive use of artificial intelligence to a “porn addiction," arguing that simply using more AI does not automatically create more value for businesses. Speaking during a live interview at Palantir’s AIPCon 10 event, Karp criticised what he described as “tokenmaxxing" — the growing trend of maximising AI usage by consuming large amounts of computing power and AI-generated output without focusing on meaningful business outcomes. “People are just sitting there all day, kind of like a porn addiction," Karp said while discussing the company’s internal approach to tracking AI usage.

He argued that organisations have become overly focused on increasing the number of AI tokens consumed rather than measuring whether the technology is delivering tangible results. In the AI industry, tokens are the units that large language models use to process and generate text. Most AI providers charge customers based on the number of tokens consumed, making token usage a key metric for both providers and users. Karp’s remarks reflect a growing shift in Silicon Valley, where some executives are beginning to question whether soaring AI spending is translating into real productivity gains. The Palantir chief argued that businesses risk becoming obsessed with AI usage figures while losing sight of the actual problems they are trying to solve. His comments echo those made earlier by Palantir Chief Technology Officer Shyam Sankar, who recently described the company as a “no slop zone." Sankar argued that more AI usage does not necessarily produce better outcomes and warned that increasing token consumption can generate more low-quality outputs if not properly managed.

According to Karp, AI performs well when handling straightforward tasks such as generating reports or summarising information. However, he said more complex challenges — including optimising industrial processes, improving supply chains or managing specialised business operations — still require human expertise, context and continuous decision-making. The remarks come amid growing concerns among corporate leaders about the rising cost of AI adoption. Several companies have reported increasing spending on AI tools while struggling to quantify their impact on efficiency, productivity and profitability. Karp stressed that artificial intelligence should be viewed as a tool that enhances existing processes rather than a replacement for them. He argued that the real value of AI lies not in how much it is used, but in whether it helps organisations solve specific, high-value problems. The comments have added to a broader debate unfolding across the technology sector, where enthusiasm for AI remains high but questions are increasingly being raised about how to measure success beyond simple usage statistics.