If you've not kept close tabs on the AI industry's explosive growth, but the name still rings a bell, it might be because the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services asked Palantir for help managing the monumental task of combating the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the distribution of coronavirus vaccines.

While the operational momentum is clearly solid, investors should pay closer attention to the risks. History shows Palantir stock can fall hard as sentiment shifts.

Shares of Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) charged out of the gate on Tuesday, spiking as much as 9.8%. As of 10:50 a.m. ET, the stock was still up 8.3%.