The Big Tech Show

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.

Samsung Fold7 vs Honor Magic V5 — there’s one clear winner in the folding phones war

What are the pros and cons of large, foldout phones? What are the advantages of smaller, flip-fold phones? And do they still cost way more than ordinary phones?  Maeve McTaggart, Multimedia Reporter with the Irish Independent, joins Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

09-02
23:05

Paedophiles, fascists and nihilists: How unsafe is Roblox for kids?

What are the allegations facing Roblox? Why are a group of law firms looking to file lawsuits against the company? And how is the gaming platform making the online space safer for its users? This episode contains sensitive content including descriptions of graphic violence and sexual assault and may be disturbing to some listeners. If you are affected by any of the content of this podcast, please go to https://oneinfour.ie/ If you are in crisis, call the OneinFour helpline at 01 662 4070 or call DRCC’s 24-hour National Helpline on 1800 77 88 88. Reporter for WIRED magazine, David Gilbert, joins Adrian on The Big Tech Show today. The reporter began the conversation by stressing the point that most parents whose children use the platform Roblox aren’t aware of its features. The platform is in fact a massive open platform where people can interact and chat with each other. You can listen to the full episode here, on the Irish Independent website or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

08-28
23:50

Should noise really be a veto on drone deliveries?

Is drone delivery noise a potential obstacle to the technologies’ progress? Will the convenience become commonplace? And what has former UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg been saying about the tech industry? Darragh Nolan, Multi-Media reporter, with the Irish Independent joins Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. The Multi-Media reporter was reporting on the drone noise issue in Dublin 15 recently. Adrian asked what he found out when writing on the topic and the journalist says that it's reception is mixed, some neighbours are highly against the noise of the technology whereas other neighbours are in favour of the convenience and are currently using it. You can listen to the full episode here, on the Irish Independent website or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

08-26
28:26

How to use AI properly

What is AI’s current capabilities? Does it live up to the hype? And how can it be used in everyday scenarios? Alan Smeaton, professor Emeritus at DCU and founding director of the Insight Centre for Data Analytics attached to DCU, joins Adrian Weckler on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. The conversation began by Adrian asking the question, “what does agentic AI do?” Professor Smeaton responded by saying, what happens is that you ask it a question and then the agentic AI goes off and then searches the information, aggregates it and then synthesizes it into a cogent answer. You can listen to the full episode here, on the Irish Independent website or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

08-19
33:48

Judges using AI, Trump's Intel U-turn and Musk takes aim at Apple

Why has Elon Musk threatened Apple with legal action? Is it safe to let Judges use AI? And how did the Intel CEO convince Trump to do a U-turn? ­ Katie Byrne, Money editor with the Irish Independent joins JJ Clarke on this episode of The Big Tech Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

08-14
22:35

How a Dublin game creator secured funding from one of Hollywood's biggest developers

How are computer games created? Where do developers get funding? And is Ireland a good place for game development? Ronan Price, games critic and assistant publishing editor at the Irish Independent presented this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. The games reviewer is joined by Colm Larkin, founder of Dublin-based indie game studio, Gambrinous. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

08-07
26:48

The Tesla Files: what it’s really like to work for Elon Musk

What’s it like to work for Tesla? How were sensitive company files leaked? And why is camaraderie amongst employees discouraged by Musk? Sönke Iwersen, co-author of The Tesla Files, the inside story of Musk’s empire, and an award-winning journalist who has led the investigative team at Germany's Handelsblatt newspaper. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

08-05
32:30

EU capitulates on trade talks with Big Tech watching

How did the EU lose out to Trump in US trade talks? What does this mean for the Irish economy? And why are legitimate texts still being labelled as ‘scam texts’? ­ JJ Clarke, producer, joins Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

07-29
19:21

Price hikes for public EV charging, exploding tumble dryers and Trump’s new ‘do what you want’ AI reforms

Why are the ESB hiking prices on EV charging? What is in Trump’s new AI action plan? And how is the Irish media regulator going after X for age verification? JJ Clarke, producer, joins Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. The cost of publicly charging an electric car is being increased by up to 15pc by Ireland’s biggest provider. ESB cars, which has the most public charging points in the country, is adding 7 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) across all of its tariffs, raising the cost of charging an electric car by up to €7. You can listen to the full episode here on the Irish Independent website or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

07-25
28:28

How to stop doomscrolling and the benefits of a new EU digital wallet

What are the pros and cons of the new EU digital wallet? When will it be operational? And how to stop doomscrolling? JJ Clarke, producer, joins Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

07-22
28:50

How to spot disinformation in the age of mistrust

How do we spot the truth from a lie online? Are AI photos and videos getting too convincing? And what can be done to stop the spread of misinformation? Ciarán Cannon, VP of Global Affairs with Alison and former Fine Gael TD for Galway East and Damien Mulley, digital communications expert and founder of Mulley Communications, join Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

07-17
25:00

Why you’re still getting ‘likely scam” on real texts; also, kids, AI bots and a loneliness epidemic

How did the nationwide scam text filter start mislabelling texts? Why are kids turning to chatbots for friendship? And what will Linda Yaccarino’s legacy at X be? ­ JJ Clarke, producer, joins Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

07-15
29:13

With AI now replacing graduates in Irish white collar jobs, who’s next?

How do we think about AI replacing jobs in Ireland? What jobs will go first? And why are people talking about Nothing’s Phone (3)? ­ JJ Clarke, producer, joins host Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

07-10
27:27

Trump v Musk, round II — and is it okay to track your partner’s phone?

Why has Elon Musk formed the America party? How will this affect EV subsidies? And does the Tesla boss have more cards up his sleeve? ­ JJ Clarke, producer, joins host Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

07-08
26:32

Is AI music any good? Also: the fraud behind it

What are AI-generated tracks? Can humans tell the difference between bot and human creation? And how are the music streaming platforms responding? Eamonn Forde, music business writer and author, joins Adrian on the Big Tech Show for this week’s episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

07-03
31:48

Dodgy boxes: Sky, private investigators, WhatsApp groups and whether owners should be worried

Will Sky’s new crackdown on dodgy boxes work? Can they really start looking at WhatsApp groups to identify offenders?  And what is the future for dodgy boxes in Ireland? JJ Clarke, producer, joins host Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. The conversation began with producer JJ asking Adrian should the average dodgy boxers user be worried about criminal prosecution. The tech editor answered that Sky is already using private investigators to identify sellers and users of dodgy boxes online but that the problem will not be solved by a spate of prosecutions. Adrian suggested that Sky and other media companies need to learn from the likes of iTunes who pivoted once people started illegally downloading music. You can listen to the full episode here on the Irish Independent website or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

07-01
26:11

AI regulation and why Irish startups are being driven abroad

Is regulation crushing Europe’s AI hopes? Will this drive Irish startups away? And will we see a softening of the EU stance? Dr Richard Blythman, co-founder and chief scientific officer of Naptha.ai, joins Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. Adrian began by asking the AI expert if Europe is driving away tech entrepreneurs with it high regulation. Dr Blythman stated that he believes it has and that is why the company he co-founded is registered in Singapore because they are more foreward looking in terms of regulation according to the Irishman. You can listen to the full episode here on the Irish Independent website or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

06-26
27:09

Scrub your social media and texts: a lawyer advises how to get through US border control

Can your social media posts stop you from entering the US? Should you scrub your online history? And is it easier for those with a tech background to get visas? Caro Kinsella, US Immigration Attorney joins Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. The immigration attorney started by stating categorically that a person’s social media posts can stop them from gaining entry into the US. Immigration officials at ports of entry to the US have the right to request access to a person’s electronic devices. You can listen to the full episode here on the Irish Independent website or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

06-24
26:23

On the frontline in the LA riots: running from flash grenades and the tech used by protesters

How did the No Kings protest happen? How did demonstrators organise online? And what was Adrian’s experience of the LA riots? Reporter for WIRED magazine, David Gilbert, joined Adrian on The Big Tech Show today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

06-19
22:36

When is it okay to ignore a text from your boss?

Should you respond to work texts after hours? Why is underage phone use more prevalent in less advantaged areas? And what policies could help parents with this issue? JJ Clarke, producer, joins host Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

06-17
28:35

Paul Delahunty

Should not be a tech journalist - clueless idiot

02-02 Reply

Mohab

why no one comments

08-20 Reply

TThompson

didn't like this guy, far too pushy.

10-12 Reply

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