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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20 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes20

Newest first

Tuesday · 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.
June 18 · 32 min
The uncomfortable truth about banning under 16s from social media
Title The uncomfortable truth about banning under 16s from social media Description/Copy Should Ireland follow the UK and ban social media for under 16s? Adrian is joined by JJ Clarke to examine why many child safety experts argue that bans do not work and may even create new risks for young people online. The discussion looks at Ireland's plans for age verification, the challenge of enforcing existing rules, and why regulators in Brussels are increasingly focused on forcing platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook to change algorithms that drive addictive content. Why you can trust the Irish Independent: learn about our editorial guidelines and AI use See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 11 · 27 min
WWDC: Why Apple says EU rules are blocking its biggest AI upgrade
Will Apple users in Europe miss out on the company's biggest AI upgrade yet? And what does the growing dispute between Apple and the European Commission mean for consumers? Adrian Weckler spoke to Ben Wood at FDM CCS Insight, from Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in California. The discussion focused on Siri AI, Apple's new deeply integrated artificial intelligence platform, and why many of its headline features may not be available on iPhones and iPads in the European Union. Wood explained how Apple's privacy first approach is clashing with EU competition rules, leaving consumers caught in the middle of an increasingly tense regulatory battle. Why you can trust the Irish Independent: learn about our editorial guidelines and AI use See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 9 · 18 min
Why people believe the conspiracy that your phone is listening to you
Is your phone really listening to you or is something more complex going on behind the scenes? Adrian Weckler and JJ Clarke tackle the most enduring tech conspiracy theory, the belief that private conversations trigger targeted ads. They explore why this feels so convincing and why it keeps happening. From behavioural signals to location data and algorithmic prediction, they explain why the reality may be both less sinister and more powerful than people think. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 2 · 33 min
Why Pope Leo is right about AI and tech bros
AI was supposed to replace workers at speed. Instead, some of the world’s biggest companies are finding costly problems, poor results and frustrated customers. Adrian Weckler and JJ Clarke examine why firms such as Starbucks, Pizza Hut and Klarna are scaling back AI projects. They also discuss the warning from Pope Leo, who has criticised AI for threatening human dignity, work and genuine human judgement, as companies race to cut costs and automate jobs before the technology is truly ready. Why you can trust the Irish Independent: learn about our editorial guidelines and AI use See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 28 · 23 min
Online features and fighting fraud: should a neobank replace your legacy bank?
Irish consumers are embracing online banks in their droves, but do they trust them with their salaries, savings and investments? Adrian Weckler is joined by Bianca Zwart, chief strategy officer at bunq to discuss the rise of digital banking in Ireland, why younger customers are turning to crypto and investing apps, and whether neobanks can compete with traditional institutions on trust, fraud protection and customer support. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 26 · 28 min
The hidden catch in Ireland’s fibre broadband deals
Why does one fibre broadband package cost nearly twice as much as another using the same line? Are Irish households paying more than they need to for internet access? And do speed guarantees matter when choosing a provider? Adrian Weckler is joined by Irish Independent reporter and journalist Saoirse Hanley to examine the gap in broadband pricing across Ireland, with some fibre packages costing almost twice as much as rivals. They discuss rising prices after introductory offers, minimum guaranteed speeds, long term contracts and what consumers should focus on when choosing a broadband. You can listen to the full episode here or wherever you get your podcasts. Why you can trust the Irish Independent: learn about our editorial guidelines and AI use See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 19 · 28 min
Is Ireland's multinational tech addiction hurting Irish companies and holding us all back?
Ireland has long relied on multinational tech companies to fuel jobs growth and tax revenue but are we becoming dangerously dependent on them? Professor Joe Haslam, executive director of the Owner´s Scaleup Program at IE Business School and Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire and barrister, Barry Ward join Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 12 · 37 min
How to save a fortune — a beginners' guide to getting home solar in Ireland, from pricing and grants to batteries and selling energy back to the grid
Electricity bills are soaring and more Irish homeowners are wondering if solar panels are finally worth it. On this week’s The Big Tech Show, Adrian speaks to Dr Paul Deane, Senior lecturer in clean energy in UCC, about the real cost of installing solar at home, how many panels most households actually need and whether batteries are worth the investment. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 5 · 27 min
The EU tries to regulate deepfake porn and AI
Deepfake pornography is emerging as one of the most urgent challenges in artificial intelligence. On this week’s The Big Tech Show, Adrian speaks to Aoife White at the European Correspondent, who specialises in EU affairs, about how the EU’s AI Act aims to tackle the issue by targeting the apps that make such content to create. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 30 · 30 min
Was Tim Cook good or bad for the world?
On this week’s episode of the Big Tech Show, Adrian Weckler examines the end of an era as Tim Cook prepares to step down as Apple chief executive after fifteen years. With author of “Apple in China: the capture of the world’s greatest company”, Patrick McGee, the discussion explores Cook’s legacy from turning the iPhone into a financial powerhouse to criticism that Apple lost its creative edge. They also examine the timing of his exit, the rise of successor John Ternus, and the challenges ahead including artificial intelligence and dependence on China. As Apple enters a new chapter, the question remains whether history will judge Cook as a cautious operator or a transformative leader. You can listen to the full episode here or wherever you get your podcasts. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 21 · 26 min
AI music, bot farms and fraud — why we can't tell the difference and how one Irish company is fighting it
Can you really hear the difference between AI and human music anymore? and does it even matter? On this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show, Adrian Weckler speaks to John Corley, chief executive of Spanish Point Technologies, about the rapid rise of AI generated music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 16 · 26 min
Trump, Pope Leo and Peter Thiel's obsession with the Antichrist
Why is Peter Thiel talking about the Antichrist in Rome? and what does it reveal about the intersection of tech and belief? On this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show, Adrian Weckler speaks to ?Dr. Massimo Faggioli, professor in Ecclesiology at the Loyola Institute at Trinity College, Dublin. From Catholic theology to Silicon Valley ideology, he explains how ancient religious ideas are being reshaped by modern tech elites and why some now see technology itself as a path to salvation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.