Marketplace Tech · Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Amy Webb uses the analogy of villagers moving a boulder with pebbles to illustrate how individuals can influence the development of AI. She urges listeners to conduct their own research into AI, be mindful of personal data usage, and for company leaders to consider the long-term impacts of their AI investments. Regulators are also called upon to develop a meaningful plan.
“So we've arrived at a moment in time with AI where we all need to start looking for pebbles. And we got to all pick them up individually and strategically place them.”
“So one pebble that you can pick up today, instead of allowing your dopamine system to get hit with, you know, incredible stories of how AI is going to help us or harm us, do five minutes of actual research, just to unhook from what you're hearing and to see what is actually true and what's really happening.”
“And regulators, like I know that we've got midterms coming up and I know that we are very polarized, but there have to be a handful of you out there that are willing to think through the longer term, and will be courageous as you are dealing with these companies and investors and your fellow lawmakers.”