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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32 episodes
weekly
Avg 30 min
English

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Today · 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.
July 21 · 28 min
Self-driving cars are coming and Ireland is getting ready
Adrian recently climbed into a taxi in California and found nobody behind the wheel. It was a fully autonomous Waymo. So how far is Ireland from seeing the same thing on our roads? Barry Lunn, founder and CEO of Provizio, explains why self-driving technology is improving fast, why safety matters more than speed, and why Europe is taking a different path from the US. They also discuss Tesla, AI, regulation and whether driverless cars are closer than most people think. https://www.independent.ie/service/why-you-can-trust-the-irish-independent/a/98708550.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 14 · 32 min
The electric car boom has hit a new problem
Electric car sales are climbing but owning one is becoming more complicated. Public charging prices have surged, grants are changing, and thousands of people living in terraced homes still cannot easily charge outside their own front door. Adrian Weckler is joined by Mark Noble, broadcaster and creator of the Nobby On Cars YouTube channel, to discuss why charging costs are rising, whether government policy is keeping pace with demand, and what needs to change before electric cars become a realistic option for everyone in Ireland. https://www.independent.ie/service/why-you-can-trust-the-irish-independent/a/98708550.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 10 · 25 min
Maybe it's time to ban e-scooters in Ireland
Electric scooters were once seen as the future of urban transport, but growing safety concerns are changing the conversation. On this episode of The Big Tech Show, Adrian Weckler is joined by former Fine Gael TD Noel Rock to discuss whether electric scooters have become too dangerous for Irish roads. They examine rising injury numbers, gaps in enforcement, why existing rules are failing, and whether tighter regulation is enough or if Ireland should consider banning them altogether. https://www.independent.ie/service/why-you-can-trust-the-irish-independent/a/98708550.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 7 · 35 min
America's AI kill switch — why Donald Trump now decides whether we get Claude and ChatGPT in Europe
The United States has ordered Anthropic to restrict access to its most advanced AI model and is now urging other leading developers to give the government early access to new systems before they are released. Is this sensible national security or the beginning of state control over artificial intelligence? Adrian Weckler speaks to William Fry partner Barry Scannell about why the most powerful AI models are causing alarm, whether America now has an AI kill switch and what it could mean for Europe, businesses and the future of technology. https://www.independent.ie/service/why-you-can-trust-the-irish-independent/a/98708550.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 30 · 27 min
Dull and robotic or jiu-jitsu tech bro — what is real Mark Zuckerberg like behind the scenes?
Who is Mark Zuckerberg really? Is he the awkward, robotic tech billionaire seen in public, or something very different behind closed doors? Sheera Frenkel, Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times journalist and co-author of the bestselling An Ugly Truth: Inside Facebook's Battle for Domination, joins Adrian to examine the Meta chief's personality, upbringing and leadership style. From his privileged childhood and early coding obsession to Facebook's move fast culture, Zuckerberg's rise is a story of relentless ambition, fierce control and extraordinary resilience. Why you can trust the Irish Independent: learn about our editorial guidelines and AI use See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 25 · 26 min
The Northern Irish man who hunts and shuts down online scammers
The week on The Big Tech Show, Adrian Weckler, speaks with Jim Browning, the Northern Ireland based digital investigator known for exposing global scam operations. With millions of YouTube subscribers, Browning explains how he infiltrates scam call centres by gaining access to their systems and turning their own tactics against them. He describes how scammers trick victims into handing over banking access, and how his work helps identify offenders and alert authorities. Browning also discusses the ethical challenge of watching scams in real time while deciding when to intervene to protect potential victims and support law enforcement action. Why you can trust the Irish Independent: learn about our editorial guidelines and AI use See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Showing 1–20 of 32 episodes