The Big Tech Show

Irish Independent

Irish Independent Tech Editor Adrian Weckler hosts this award-winning business podcast which dives deep into the biggest industry advances and tracks the key movers and shakers behind the innovation. From interviewing Big Tech CEOs to investigations into how tech affects our working lives, the show has become Ireland’s most listened-to technology podcast.

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38 episodes
Avg 30 min
English

Episodes 38

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Thursday · 41 min
What now for Tulsa drone king? Bobby Healy on leaving Ireland and scaling Manna in Oklahoma | Can It Scale?
Manna Air Delivery founder Bobby Healy reveals his ambition to build the world's biggest drone delivery business, and why Ireland is no longer the place to scale it. From testing chip deliveries in his back garden to taking on Amazon and Google in the US, Healy discusses capital, regulation and his ambition to make Manna a global giant. ‘Can It Scale?’ explores the people, ideas and businesses shaping Ireland’s startup scene. Why you can trust the Irish Independent See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
November 3 · 26 min
The pros and cons of breaking WhatsApp's encryption to fight crime
Should the state be allowed to break encrypted messages in the name of fighting crime? Ireland and the EU are wrestling with a difficult trade-off between privacy and security, as proposals to monitor digital communications put services like WhatsApp, iMessage and Signal under pressure. Adrian speaks to Barry Ward, Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire, about whether law enforcement should have greater access to private messages, the risks of weakening encryption and the limits of state surveillance. Where should the line be drawn between protecting the public and defending everyone’s right to privacy? Why you can trust the Irish Independent See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 29 · 29 min
From cash crunch to unicorn — Conor McCarthy's Flipdish story
Flipdish co-founder Conor McCarthy reveals how a simple idea to make ordering food easier grew into a billion-dollar Irish tech business. From a cash crunch that threatened payroll to unicorn status and a new push into AI, McCarthy explains how Flipdish evolved, why it is doubling down on restaurant technology and what it takes to build a business for the long term. ‘Can It Scale?’ is a new podcast exploring the people, ideas and businesses shaping Ireland’s startup scene. Through candid conversations with founders and industry insiders, we uncover the breakthroughs, setbacks and big decisions behind building a successful company. Why you can trust the Irish Independent See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 27 · 28 min
Get ready for a wave of AI hacking public services
AI could soon make cyber-attacks on public services far more frequent, with Ireland potentially facing serious disruption to everything from healthcare to banking and transport. Adrian speaks to Peter Tanham, analyst at TheState.ie, former founder, political strategist and recently departed Meta global data policy executive, about why AI is changing the hacking game, how exposed our computer systems really are and why the HSE cyber-attack of 2021 could offer a warning of what lies ahead. Is it time to stop hoping for the best and start preparing for the worst? Why you can trust the Irish Independent See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 22 · 32 min
From near collapse to Netflix — an amazing Irish scaleup story | Can It Scale?
StoryToys chief executive Emmet O’Neill reveals how the Dublin company came within a thread of collapse before an unexpected email from Lego changed its fortunes. From cutting staff and negotiating million-euro debts to working with Lego, Disney and Netflix, O’Neill explains the decisions that kept the business alive and helped it grow into one of the world’s biggest producers of children’s apps. Why you can trust the Irish Independent See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 21 · 27 min
The iPhone Duo review: pure delight with one big catch
What is Apple’s new folding iPhone Duo really like to use? Is its huge screen worth the eye watering price, and what compromises come with the design? Adrian Weckler joins Saoirse Hanley to discuss a week of testing Apple’s first folding phone, from its impressive display and pocket friendly design to its missing Face ID, lack of a telephoto camera and eye watering price tag. With a premium build and impressive battery life, could this be the future of smartphones, or is it still a niche luxury? Why you can trust the Irish Independent See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 20 · 25 min
The Irish woman at the top of AI's biggest company — OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar on AI doom, AI accounting and using Ireland as a growth base
OpenAI’s chief financial officer Sarah Friar joins us to discuss the company’s growing ambitions in Ireland, where weekly ChatGPT usage has more than doubled to 2.5 million people. She outlines plans for 450 additional jobs, the prospect of Irish data centres and how AI could transform businesses. But with mounting concerns over cyber security, rogue AI agents and the vast cost of infrastructure, can OpenAI deliver on its promises while building a sustainable business? Why you can trust the Irish Independent See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 13 · 29 min
Mark Zuckerberg gets the villain treatment in a disappointing Social Network sequel
Aaron Sorkin returns to Facebook with The Social Reckoning, a follow up to The Social Network exploring whistleblower Frances Haugen’s allegations about the platform’s role in extremism. But does the film capture the scale of the scandal, or fall short of its predecessor? On this week’s Big Tech Show, Adrian Weckler and Irish Independent journalist and host of the No Encore podcast Dave Hanratty assess its portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg, its accuracy and whether Hollywood’s latest attempt to hold Big Tech to account has anything meaningful to say. Why you can trust the Irish Independent See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 6 · 34 min
Will AI kill us all? Yes, says Gates; no, says Huang. Plus: Apple's new Watch Series 12 and Xiaomi's three-day-battery phone reviewed
Bill Gates says AI could contribute to the deaths of a billion people. Geoffrey Hinton, the godfather of AI, says we may have only a year to regulate it. But Meta’s Yann LeCun, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and Mark Zuckerberg are far more optimistic. In this week’s Big Tech Show, Adrian Weckler and Irish Independent technology journalist Darragh Nolan examine the growing divide over whether AI poses an existential threat or whether the warnings are being overhyped. They also review Apple’s new Watch Series 12, its controversial AI listening features, and a Xiaomi smartphone with a 10,000mAh battery that can last three days. Why you can trust the Irish Independent See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 29 · 58 min
'Burn it to the ground' — Mark Little on the future of social media
When Mark Little sold his news verification startup Storyful to Rupert Murdoch for $25m, he was summoned to the Australian's New York office. "Let's go make some f***ing money," Murdoch told him, according to Little. In this week's episode of the Big Tech Show, the former RTE anchorman-turned-entrepreneur talks in depth about his time running Twitter in Ireland, his challenges as a startup founder and what he thinks about the future of social media and AI. https://www.independent.ie/service/why-you-can-trust-the-irish-independent/a/98708550.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 28 · 32 min
The Irish priest in Silicon Valley advising AI giants on ethics and morality
Today we have the extraordinary story of Fr Brendan McGuire, a priest from Bray who runs a parish in Silicon Valley and has become an advisor o Anthropic and other AI giants on spiritual, moral and ethical matters By day, he says mass. By night, urges reflection and restraint to executives within those AI giants, some of which are now warning of humans being wiped out by the technology. I sat down with Fr McGuire to talk about his life, his ministry, the idea of computers having souls and whether AI might eventually kill us all. And that was me talking to Fr Brendan McGuire of St Simon’s church in Los Altos, California. Gavin Hennessy was on sound for this episode and JJ Clarke is the producer of the Big Tech Show. https://www.independent.ie/service/why-you-can-trust-the-irish-independent/a/98708550.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 15 · 29 min
How Trinity College is dealing with AI and cheating
On this episode of The Big Tech Show, Adrian Weckler is joined by Dr. Alan Eustace, an assistant professor at the School of Law in Trinity College Dublin, to explore how AI is changing third level education. They discuss students relying on AI to complete coursework, the challenge of assessing genuine learning and how universities can adapt their approach. Eustace explains how Trinity is using research trails, document versions and oral assessments to verify students' work. They also consider whether heavy reliance on AI could weaken critical thinking and ultimately change how we value university degrees. https://www.independent.ie/service/why-you-can-trust-the-irish-independent/a/98708550.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 10 · 23 min
The iPhone Duo: is it worth €2,369?
Apple has unveiled its first foldable iPhone, but is the eye watering price justified? On this episode of The Big Tech Show, Adrian Weckler talks to Ben Wood, chief marketing officer with FDM CCS Insight about the iPhone Duo, its book style design and whether Apple can make foldables mainstream. They discuss the phone's impressive screen, camera compromises and the changing cost of smartphones as AI drives up demand for memory and chips. They also explore Apple's new direction under CEO John Ternus and the rise of ambient AI, including concerns about devices that can listen, record and remember what happens around us. https://www.independent.ie/service/why-you-can-trust-the-irish-independent/a/98708550.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 8 · 37 min
The world according to Annrai O'Toole — Iona, AI and how to run a society
Irish tech veteran Annrai O’Toole believes fears about AI becoming a threat to humanity are overblown but says we should be far more concerned about how the technology is affecting society today. On this episode of The Big Tech Show, Adrian Weckler talks to the Iona Technologies co-founder about AI, regulation, Ireland’s technology sector and his latest venture, VCola. They discuss why AI systems remain fundamentally probabilistic, the risks of relying on them for important decisions, and why enterprise software needs to be precise and reliable. https://www.independent.ie/service/why-you-can-trust-the-irish-independent/a/98708550.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 1 · 22 min
How a journalist used an AirTag to track a book bought by AI giants to be pulped
On this episode of The Big Tech Show, Adrian Weckler is joined by Emanuel Maiberg, journalist and co founder of 404 Media, to explore how AI companies are buying up old and rare books for training data. They discuss reports of books being physically cut apart and scanned, why obscure manuals and textbooks are particularly valuable to AI companies, and what could be lost when printed material is destroyed. Maiberg also explains how 404 Media tracked a shipment using an AirTag and uncovered evidence of books being scanned and destroyed at an Amazon warehouse. https://www.independent.ie/service/why-you-can-trust-the-irish-independent/a/98708550.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 25 · 33 min
AI and loneliness
On this episode of The Big Tech Show, Adrian Weckler is joined by psychotherapist Colman Noctor to explore how social media, algorithms and AI are changing the way we communicate and connect. They discuss the pressure on young people to chase likes, views and online recognition, and how algorithms can encourage risky behaviour. Noctor explains why human relationships need real world interaction, disagreement and everyday connection, and what we risk losing when we outsource too much of our social lives to technology. https://www.independent.ie/service/why-you-can-trust-the-irish-independent/a/98708550.html Colman Noctor TEDxTalk https://youtu.be/fHTHPYj2zl0?si=z0k5L1FQvYdY82m4 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 18 · 30 min
Is AI making us jealous?
On this episode of The Big Tech Show, Katie Byrne is joined by producer JJ Clarke to explore how algorithms shape what we watch, buy and believe, and the digital defences that can help us take back control. They discuss the addictive pull of social media, why JJ keeps his phone out of the bedroom, and whether technology can help us switch off. They also examine the growing role of AI as a confidant, the rise of AI jealousy in relationships, and whether computer companions could ever replace genuine human connection. https://www.independent.ie/service/why-you-can-trust-the-irish-independent/a/98708550.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 11 · 25 min
Could Ireland survive a cable attack?
Ireland sits at the heart of the world's digital economy, with most transatlantic data cables passing through or close to its waters. But is Ireland prepared to protect the infrastructure that keeps businesses, banks and public services connected? In this episode of The Big Tech Show, Adrian Weckler is joined by Fearghal O'Connor, Chief Business Writer with the Irish Independent, to examine growing concerns over Ireland's maritime security. They discuss the risks posed by hostile activity, the country's limited naval capabilities and why experts believe investment in surveillance and defence has become increasingly urgent as geopolitical tensions continue to rise. https://www.independent.ie/service/why-you-can-trust-the-irish-independent/a/98708550.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 4 · 29 min
Blame it on the weatherman? Alan O'Reilly (Carlow Weather) on the technology of forecasting
As the warm weather starts to wane and our days of consistent sunshine look numbered, chances are you’ll check your phone’s weather app to find out what’s next in store. But not all weather apps are created equal: some look fantastic and operate beautifully while others offer clunkier UX but reliable reports. Alan O'Reilly, creator of the enormously popular Carlow Weather social media accounts, joins Adrian Weckler to discuss what app we should all be using, how AI is changing the landscape of meteorology and some surprising trends from the intersection of weather and technology. Host: Adrian Weckler | Guest: Alan O'Reilly (Carlow Weather) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 28 · 31 min
Avoid “fan fiction” this summer - Adrian Weckler on the cooling devices that actually work
With mixed reports on how likely another heatwave might be, now might be the time to invest in the right tech to keep your home cool in summer. Adrian Weckler gives Dee Reddy the lowdown on how to keep the heat down. Plus: As OpenAI's latest agent goes rogue, we look at how Ireland is bucking the trend with new AI job creation and how and the Papal prayer app committed a cardinal data sin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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