The Irish Tech News Podcast

🚀 What's the countdown after Thanksgiving? The new year! 🎙️ Our latest One Vision episode tackles what's ahead for the banking industry in 2026. Theo is joined by Pam Kaur, Tiffani Montez, and Julie Muhn where they dive deep into the unpredictable world of 2025 and discuss the trends shaping the future of fintech, AI, payments, and consumer finance. Don’t miss the bold predictions and thought-provoking discussions on agentic commerce, open banking, data sharing, and more! 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:04 Reflecting on 2025: Unpredictable Events02:11 Economic Challenges and Consumer Finance02:47 Market Trends08:19 The Rise of Agentic Commerce10:49 Ethics and Security in an AI Era14:14 Future of Banking and Payments28:31 1033 and Data Sharing 32:23 Crystal Ball Predictions for 2026📍 Hot take: “If you have generative AI tools that are controlling the product discovery and recommendation, you lose all the data associated with that. I think there's definitely not a lot of dialogue about what gen AI means for banking in terms of product discovery.” ~ Tiffani Montez📍 Hot take: “Is anybody tracking how much money they have on their Starbucks card as like an asset?” ~ Pam Kaur📍 Hot take: “So know your customer, know your business. And now we're looking at KYA, Know Your Agent …  We are probably severely behind when it comes to authentication and the security and privacy of it all.” ~ Julie Muhn#AI #Fintech #Payments #Agents #AgenticCommerce #Data🔗 Finovate White Paper: Fintech at the Crossroadshttps://get.informaconnect.com/finovate-2025-white-paper-fintech-at-the-crossroads/?web Find Pam Kaur on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamkaur001/ Find Tiffani Montez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffani-montez-b794283/ Find Julie Muhn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieschicktanz/ Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 🔗 Theo’s latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 🔗 About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/

According to the WIN World AI Index only 3% of Irish consumers aged between 35-54 engage with AI regularly. To find out more about this I spoke to  Ivan Jennings, Tech Sales Leader Red Hat Ireland .Ivan talks about his background, the first ever WIN World AI Index Irish findings, AI, ubiquitous computing and moreMore about the WIN World AI Index Survey:The WIN World AI Index Survey 2025 is a global initiative capturing how people in 40 countries perceive, understand, and prepare for the rise of Artificial Intelligence. This pioneering survey provides a unique snapshot of global AI readiness, trust, and usage.

Who’s in on the digital revolution?In this episode of One Vision, Theo welcomes back Simon Kemp, Chief Analyst of DataReportal and Founder of Kepios, for a deep dive into the latest Digital 2026 report. The duo explores the monumental amount of data published over the past six months, including insights on AI usage, internet adoption, socio-demographic disparities, and the hyperbole surrounding digital media. Key highlights include the conservative estimate of over 1 billion monthly users of standalone AI tools, the challenges of internet accessibility in rural areas and among women, and the role of AI in our society. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on digital trends and the future of our digital economy.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:53 Digital 2026 Report Overview02:40 AI Usage Statistics05:09 AI in China and Global Impact07:42 AI Tools and User Behavior23:40 Debunking Myths About AI and Agentic Commerce25:54 Consumer Behavior and AI Adoption34:46 Global Internet Access Disparities39:25 Projections for Digital Trends in 2026Hot Take: “ …  understanding my place in the universe and my broader purpose as a human being. That's such a deep, profound conversation, and we're having it with robots. It. There's something ironic. A computer program.”Hot Take: “ Nothing in any of this is a binary choice and we've got to stop kidding ourselves that there is this magic one ring to rule them all. 'cause there isn't.”#AI #GenerativeAI #AgenticAI #Internet #Digital #Inclusion Find Simon Kemp on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eskimon/ 🔗Digital 2026 Report via DataReportal: https://datareportal.com/reports/?tag=Global Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 🔗My latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 🔗About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/

New research has found that some 58% of Irish shoppers plan to make Black Friday purchases on retailer websites with a .ie domain, citing stronger trust, security and a desire to support Irish businesses as key reasons.The research, carried out by Core Research on behalf of Ireland’s national domain registry (.ie) also showed that some 55% of respondents plan on making a purchase during Black Friday or Cyber Monday. I caught up with David Curtin, Chief Executive of .ie to find out about more of the surveys results and how to shop online safely.David talks about why .ie is safe, online shopping tips, consumers rights, tips for business owners and more.More about David Curtin:David Curtin joined Ireland’s national domain registry (.ie)in November 2002, and was appointed interim Chief Executive in October 2003 and Chief Executive in January 2004. David worked for eight years in Dublin and Paris with the Jefferson Smurfit Group plc. He was Chief Executive of Smurfit Software Services, project manager for the Smurfit Group’s Hyperion systems implementation, and internal auditor of Smurfit Ireland. Prior to this he worked for KPMG in Dublin and Philadelphia. David is a graduate of UCD, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and holds a first class honours MBA from the UCD Smurfit School.

In this special on-location episode of One Vision, we welcome Andreas Mettenberger, Managing Director of Synpulse Hong Kong, to discuss the latest trends and opportunities in wealth management. Recorded during the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong FinTech Week, we explore the role of technology in wealth management, differences in regional approaches, and the mindset change needed to create new growth opportunities. Andreas emphasizes the potential of AI to streamline operations and enhance client interactions, anticipating a significant acceleration in AI deployment in the coming years.📍 Hot take: The main opportunity for RMs (relationship managers) is not that they will be replaced, but they will become more effective and they will be able to do more within the same amount of time. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:32 Challenges in Digital Transformation05:19 AI in Wealth Management09:01 Regional Differences in Wealth Management14:35 The Future of AI in Financial Services17:45 Looking Ahead to 2024#AI #FinancialServices #WealthManagement #DigitalBanking #Innovation #HongKong Find Andreas Mettenberger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreas-mettenberger/   Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 🔗My latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 🔗About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/ 

Dr Tapani Rinta-Kahila is Senior Lecturer of Business Information Systems at The University of Queensland and Esko Penttinen is an associate Professor at Aalto University School of Business. Dr Tapani Rinta-Kahila and Esko Penttinen worked collaboratively on the landmark study, “The Vicious Circles of Skill Erosion: A Case Study of Cognitive Automation” and they offer different perspectives on the issue of technology-driven skill erosion in the workforce. I caught up with them to find more about this.Tapani Rinta-Kahila and Esko Penttinen talk about their background, skillsets, their paper, context and more.More about Dr Tapani Rinta-Kahila and Esko Penttinen:Dr Tapani Rinta-Kahila is a Senior Lecturer of Business Information Systems and an ARC DECRA Fellow at The University of Queensland Business School. He holds a doctoral degree from Aalto University School of Business, where he wrote an award-winning dissertation on the decommissioning of organisational information systems.Esko Penttinen is Associate Professor (tenured) in Information Systems at Aalto University School of Business. Penttinen holds a D.Sc. in Information Systems Science and a M.Sc. in Economics from Helsinki School of Economics. Esko's research helps organisations understand the intricacies related to the implementation of various forms of artificial intelligence, harnessing its benefits and avoiding the pitfalls. Esko is an avid student of the interplay between humans and machines, curious to generate insights on how to coordinate work tasks efficiently between the two.

In this episode of One Vision, host Theo welcomes Pamela Villanova, VP of Digital Banking at American Eagle Financial Credit Union. They discuss the credit union's major milestone in conducting a digital banking conversion and the multi-year journey it entailed. Pam shares insights into the strategic focus they adopted, emphasizing user experience, data utilization, and the importance of partnerships. The conversation also delves into broader industry trends, such as the rapid adoption of AI and blockchain, and the importance of human connection and adaptability in the face of accelerating change. Tune in to learn about the future of digital banking and how to balance the diverse member needs and innovation.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:17 Digital Banking Conversion Journey04:01 Strategic Focus and Challenges06:56 Lessons Learned and Industry Insights10:44 Balancing Member Needs and Innovation19:28 Future Challenges and Opportunities30:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts/#AI #FinancialServices #BankingIndustry #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #CreditUnion 📍 Hot take: "Don't hide our heads in the sand 'cause that's not gonna help anyone. Be flexible. Understand the pulse of what's going on in our industry and in our communities, and react to it positively."Find Pamela Villanova on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-villanova/  Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 🔗My latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 🔗About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/

Microsoft recently launched Dragon Copilot, a next-generation AI clinical assistant designed to transform how clinicians manage time-consuming administrative tasks - from documentation and referrals to after-visit summaries. By streamlining workflows and integrating seamlessly with electronic patient records (EPRs), it frees up valuable time for what matters most: patient care.The technology combines fine-tuned generative AI with Dragon Medical One’s speech capabilities and the ambient AI of Dragon Ambient eXperience (DAX). It comes at a time when a Microsoft-commissioned report revealed that 40% of patients have experienced consultations where clinicians appeared too focused on their screens to fully engage. To find out more about Dragon Copilot I spoke to Dr Simon Wallace, Chief Clinical Information Officer at Microsoft UK and Ireland.Dr Wallace talks about his background, what Dragon Copilot does, the benefits of using Dragon Copilot and more.More about Dr Simon Wallace:Dr Simon Wallace is a medical doctor specialising in GP, hospital, and public health care with over 20 years of experience in healthcare transformation. He currently serves as the Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO) and Director of Business Strategy for Microsoft UK & Ireland, where he leads the integration of health-tech innovations—especially AI and conversational systems—into clinical workflows.

Earlier this autumn Billy Lenihan spoke with ORF Radio Austria for their technology programme Digital.Leben about something that has already become part of everyday life in parts of Dublin – coffee, books and takeaways delivered by drone. The short feature, broadcast on 29 October 2025, explored how Irish company Manna has turned what began as a pilot project into a real delivery service.The interview came about after meeting Franz Zeller, Head of Science at Austrian public radio ORF, during Maker Faire Rome 2025. I was in Rome reporting for Irish Tech News, part of an international press delegation supported by the Italian Trade Agency and Innova Camera, the Rome Chamber of Commerce agency that organises the fair.

SEPA Instant payments will allow personal and business customers to make a euro payment within ten seconds, 24 hours a day. In tandem with this, Verification of Payee (VoP) will also be introduced for both SEPA Instant and standard SEPA payments. The services are being introduced as part of the EU's Instant Payments Regulation and will come into effect from 9 October 2025. While the benefits of faster transactions and enhanced security are obvious, there may be some teething problems in the initial stages. Uneven rollout across Irish banks may cause short-term confusion or fragmented service, and VoP does not entirely eliminate scams or social-engineering risks. To find out more about this I caught up with  Donal McGuinness, CEO of Prommt who was a guest on the podcast last year.Donal talks about his background, faster payments, and older demographics.More about Donal McGuinessSerial entrepreneur Donal McGuinness is CEO of Prommt. He studied Computer Science at DCU and Telecommunications Engineering at DIT and spent the early years of his career in the telecommunications industry. His experience in mobile payments dates to 1999 when he founded his first mobile payments company, ItsMobile. Donal was also a Non-Executive Director of the Irish Internet Association from 2009 to 2011 and a movie distribution business from 2002 to 2020.In 2016 Donal joined a silicon valley startup in the identity verification space called Danal inc, where he set up and grew the global business outside of the USA as General Manager of EMEA until 2019 when the business was acquired by Boku Inc for $112 million USD. Donal joined Prommt as CEO in 2019. He is an innovator and is passionate about payment innovation.

In this episode of One Vision, Theo is joined by Alex Matjanec, founder and CEO of Wysh, and Jim Perry, an advocate for financial inclusivity. The trio delve into how institutions can offer real value and build trust with customers by embedding financial protection into everyday banking. Jim and Alex also discuss the broader implications of financial literacy and the efforts of The National Alliance for Financial Literacy and Inclusion (NAFLI) to bridge gaps in financial education.  Innovation and inclusion aren't separate paths — tune in and be inspired to go beyond good.  00:00 Founder’s Inspiration05:48 The Importance of Embedded Insurance27:59 The Role of Financial Literacy and Inclusion34:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts📍Hot Take: “There's so much more that could be done to improve the financial wellness of consumers around the United States and around the world.”#FinancialServices #BankingIndustry #FinancialInclusion #TechForGood #EmbeddedFinance Find Alex Matjanec on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexmatjanec/ Find Jim Perry on on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasperry/  🔗About Wysht: https://venturebeat.com/author/louis-columbus 🔗About NAFLI: https://www.nafli.org/ Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 🔗My latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 🔗About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/ 

Dyle, is a tech startup founded out of Ireland and MIT. The founder of Dyle, Oisín O’Sullivan, previously led Klarna’s launch in Ireland and is now building Dyle in NYC. Oisin has had an interesting journey rom Ireland to MIT to Klarna to leading a venture-backed AI company. Now based in ERA, New York’s top tech accelerator, Dyle has raised $500k+ in venture funding. I recently caught up with Oisin to find out more about his interesting journey.Oisin, talks about his background, his interesting journey, ERA and more. More about Dyle:Dyle offers AI software that finds revenue opportunities by analysing data from tools like Slack, Salesforce, and Amplitude.Dyle is also the first Agentic AI Account Manager that unifies product analytics and CRM data to surface customer signals, driving expansion and retention revenueDyle was recently part of Irish Tech Week NYC, just after their ERA Demo Day at Google, and they were on the Times Square Billboards last week.

In this episode of One Vision, Theo chats with Louis Columbus, a prominent columnist for VentureBeat, about his work at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity. They discuss the rapid pace of AI development, the concept of shadow AI, and the importance of learning and intellectual growth. Additionally, they delve into the role of AI in writing and its impact on research. Louis also shares his thoughts on how to prepare the next generation for a tech-driven future, emphasizing the importance of parental support and using AI as a tool to enhance skills and competitiveness. Tune in for an enriching conversation that spans from technical writing and professional insights to parenting.📍Hot Take: “ You look at data across a landscape, the landscape is almost like a painting. And the data are the colors in the painting and it tells you a story.” 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome03:23 Exploring AI and Cybersecurity09:40 The Importance of Data Storytelling18:31 Advice for the Next GenerationFind Louis Columbus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louiscolumbus/ 🔗Articles by Louis Columbus on VentureBeat: https://venturebeat.com/author/louis-columbus Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 🔗My latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 🔗About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/ #AI #Data #DigitalTransformation #CyberSecurity 

A lot of push around the value of AI proactive approach Sean Hanley, Commercial Director ProStrategyIn 40 years of tech evolution in Ireland we have come along way. From the black screens of the 80s, early adoption of PCs and democratisation of software in the 90s, the Y2K bug tech boom, the dawn of cloud computing, the Covid slump and future AI agents. One person who knows all about this is Sean Hanley the Commercial Director of ProStrategy. I recently caught up with Sean Hanley.Sean talks about his background, tech over the years and AI.More about ProStrategy:Irish technology solutions firm ProStrategy is to double its Irish workforce with 75 new roles in business analysis, software engineering, and solution consultancy. The company based in Dublin and Cork is 40 years in business this year.ProStrategy are a big player with clients like Primark, Permanent TSB, City Jet, Tennants, Payzone, Heineken, Ecco shoes, Gem and McCauley Pharmacies. From data management, cashflow modelling, staff productivity, logistics, planning analytics and more - ProStrategy produces and oils the cogs in so many of Ireland's largest companies.

In this episode of One Vision, we welcome Wayne Miller, EVP, Chief Innovation Officer at ICBA, for an insightful conversation on the importance of community banks and evolution of fintech partnerships. Wayne shares his personal journey into the financial services industry and his passion for improving financial lives. The discussion touches on the challenges and opportunities in a digitally evolving landscape, including the roles of technology, AI, and payments. Tune in to hear Wayne's thoughts on the future of banking and his perspective on the biggest shifts in community banking.00:00 Introduction01:42 Reflecting on the Past Decade03:25 The Spirit of Community Banking05:30 The Art of Matchmaking in FinTech06:22 Evolution of Bank-FinTech Partnerships14:42 The Role of AI and Technology in Banking22:37 Future of Payments and Financial Services28:59 Community Banks and Financial Wellness32:30 Predictions and Reflections for the Future📍Hot Take: “Community banks are a critical part of the infrastructure and the vertebrae of this country.”Find Wayne Miller on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-miller-2212a974/ Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 🔗My latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 🔗About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/ 

The GTIA (Global Technology Industry Association) ChannelCon EMEA 2025 is taking place at the moment in London, and to find out more about it and some of the keynote speakers I spoke to Dan Wensley the CEO of GTIA.Dan talks about his background, GTIA ChannelCon EMEA 2025, Sir Stephen Fry one of the keynote speakers, Sir Bob Geldof another of the keynote speakers, AI, cybersecurity and more.More about GTIA:The Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) is the only vendor-neutral, non-profit membership association for solution providers/MSPs, vendors, distributors and companies working within the IT channel ecosystem. Membership offers networking, exclusive tools and resources to grow your business and strengthen the industry, and more. Formerly known as the CompTIA Community (the membership arm of CompTIA).  The association was renamed as GTIA in 2025, but that’s not where our story begins. Our association has a long history of serving businesses in the IT channel and technology professionals.   

In this episode of the Irish Tech News Podcast, Melanie Boylan chats with Ehsan Adouane, a 12 year old coder and content creator who’s on a mission to make technology more accessible and exciting for kids around the world.Ehsan shares how he got started in coding, what drives his curiosity, and how he’s inspiring other young people through his YouTube channel Ettan Ehsan. He also talks about the future of STEM education, creativity, and why age should never be a barrier to innovation.Listen in today and be sure to subscribe.

In this episode of One Vision, we welcome Sean Scott, SVP Partnership & Personalization at U.S. Bank, to discuss the evolution of digital banking, and the intersection of innovation and execution. The conversation dives into Sean's journey in leading digital transformation initiatives at the bank and being customer obsessed. Sean shares his insights on the importance of blending technology and human elements, and the role of AI. We also explore the dynamics of FinTech partnerships and their potential to multiply value for customers. Tune in to learn how to be the true champion of the customer in the digital era.#AI #Fintech #FinancialServices #DigitalTransformation #CustomerExperience #Leadership 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:35 Sean's Background and Role at US Bank03:40 Key Lessons and A-Ha Moments in Digital Banking09:32 Empathy and Customer-Centric Approach16:18 Partnerships Between Banks and FinTechs20:54 Future Technologies and Their Impact📍Hot Take: Who will be the Doordash of financial services? Find Sean Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanoscott/ Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 🔗My latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 🔗About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/

Luke Treacy has been on the Irish Tech News podcast before and it’s great to catch up with him. When I first spoke to Luke he was helping people to upskill by learning how to code and it was great to catch up with and see what he is doing now as the CEO  of Business Technology Academy.  Luke talks about his background, what Business Technology Academy does, work based training, different technologies and more.More about Business Technology Academy:Business Technology Academy, delivers live, expert-led training courses designed to support professionals at all levels. Whether you’re a beginner just breaking into tech or building on existing skills, their beginner-friendly, career-focused courses help adults transition into high-demand roles through practical training. With every course including a dedicated module on the role of AI in the workplace. All courses are online and delivered 100% live with a professional lecturer.

In this episode of One Vision, Theo hosts Priya Gore, General Manager and Head of Cloud and AI Platform Solutions for US Financial Services at Microsoft, where they explore the expanded role of CFOs and impact of AI. Gore dispels common myths about AI, emphasizing its democratization and responsible usage. She highlights the importance of organizational readiness and the future of AI-driven work environments. The conversation underscores how AI can transform businesses, enhance customer experiences, and drive innovation, urging leaders to embrace AI thoughtfully and strategically.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome02:07 Impact of AI on CFOs and Finance Teams04:27 Addressing Myths and Pitfalls of AI05:54 AI in Regulated Industries08:19 AI-First Leadership and Organizational Change10:14 Future of Work and AI Agents14:06 Democratizing AI and Final Thoughts#AI #FinancialServices #CFO #FutureOfWork #Innovation #MSFTAmbassador📍Hot Take: If you take the technology off the table and just ideate about where do we want to bring more value to our business or to our clients and our stakeholders, those are usually the winning places to get started with AI.Find Priya Gore on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyagore/ Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 🔗My latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 🔗About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/