The Big Tech Show - podcast cover

The Big Tech Show

Irish Independentwww.independent.ie
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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Episodes

AI and Adrian’s mole: how the technology is finally starting to make sense

How big is the rift emerging between the US and EU over AI? Why are tech giants going big on nuclear AI data centres? And are we witnessing the end of the non-robotic taxi? To discuss, Adrian was joined by head of growth at Humanloop and founder of Taxbot.ie, Conor Kelly, on the Big Tech Show. Conor began by talking about his recent move to San Francisco and the attitude there to Europe. He said that all the innovation in the artificial intelligence space is coming out of Silicon Valley with all...

Oct 21, 202426 min

Google goes nuclear for data centres — time for Ireland to follow suit

Is the answer to Ireland’s data center energy problem nuclear power? Why are Google and Microsoft investing in it? And why are 15 data centres across the country paused? Adrian was joined by Senior Lecturer in Clean Energy at University College Cork, Dr. Paul Deane, to discuss the issue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 17, 202418 min

Tesla’s robotaxi flop, ‘enshittification’ and the failed war on dodgy boxes

Is the war on dodgy boxes a failure? Was Tesla’s robotaxi launch more Flinstones than Jetsons? And why is the Irish social media regulator warning of “enshittification”? Producer, JJ Clarke, joins Adrian to discuss this week’s technology news. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 15, 202426 min

The inside story of how Elon Musk destroyed Twitter

The inside story of how Elon Musk bought Twitter, and its mismanaged ever since, is a fascinating one. This week, Adrian is joined by the New York Times journalists, Ryan Mac and Kate Conger, who wrote a blow-by-blow account of how it all happened, with insider access to people involved in the deal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 08, 202423 min

The video game fan who founded an AI company

What makes a tech founder? When is the right time to pivot? and how do they perfect their elevator pitch? Co-founder and head of technology at Kreoh, an AI engine, Fareed Idris, joined Adrian on The Big Tech Show this week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 03, 202425 min

YouTube Premium’s price hike and what to know about the Amazon.ie launch

Is YouTube Premium worth sticking with despite the price hike? What does Ireland get out of the Amazon.ie launch? And why is Meta’s Nick Clegg calling Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner a mailbox? Producer, JJ Clarke, joined Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 26, 202427 min

YouTube superstar Max Fosh on building an audience of four million subscribers

How did Max Fosh amass a YouTube following of over four million? Is sneaking into London Fashion week easy? And how close did he come to being Mayor of London? YouTuber, Max Fosh joined Adrian on The Big Tech Show this week to discuss his new European tour Loophole. During the interview, Adrian asked Max about his knowledge of the YouTube algorithim and what does well on the platform. Fosh explained that negative emotions play better than positive ones on YouTube. He said, titles like the ‘worst...

Sep 24, 202424 min

Myth-busting: ‘AI isn’t ready for business’

Is artificial intelligence all it’s cracked up to be for business? Does it move the needle when it comes to enterprise? And is the belief that AI isn’t ready for commercial application accurate? There's a growing trend to say that AI isn't yet ready for enterprise business because it makes too many mistakes, or it can't turn jumbled silos of information into something reliably simple for business executives to use. Cofounders of NOAN, Neal Mann and Markham Nolan joined Adrian on this week’s epis...

Sep 17, 202423 min

Hands on with the iPhone 16 and Apple Watch Series 10

Did Apple do enough to impress people at its iPhone 16 event? Will people buy one for the Apple intelligence features alone? And will the standoff between Apple and the EU stop people upgrading? Adrian is currently in Cupertino at Apple Park, California, where Apple just showcased their latest product upgrades. There were three main areas of focus; iPhones, Air Pods and watches. Freelance tech journalist, Britta O’Boyle, CCS Insight analysts, Ben Wood and Leo Gebbie, joined Adrian to discuss the...

Sep 10, 202421 min

Back to college: from Sky’s budget mobile plan to tech essentials for students

Is Sky Mobile’s new budget plan worth ditching your current service for? What are the tech essentials for college? And should you splurge or save on your first laptop? Producer, JJ Clarke, joined Adrian on The Big Tech Show this week to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 10, 202426 min

Oasis and the dynamic pricing sham

Can anything be done about dynamic pricing for concert tickets? Or age restrictions for teenagers online? And is the arrest of Telegram’s Pavel Durov a warning shot for Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk? Producer, JJ Clarke, joins Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 05, 202429 min

Choosing the right camera in an era when many think they’re dead

What is the best camera to get? Is it still worth getting one in an era where many feel they’re dead? If so, what are the advantages and disadvantages? This week, Adrian is joined by John Bilbao, a staff writer with Petapixel and a professional photographer and cinematographer in his own right. Head to www.mypodcastfeedback.com , pop in code TECH and fill out the short survey to be in with the chance of winning a €500 OneforAll voucher. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Sep 03, 202426 min

With DEI under attack by tech bros, is the era of promoting diversity in tech over? Exclusive interview with CEO of Nasdaq-listed Rent The Runway

How did Rent the Runway become a NASDAQ listed company? What does its CEO think of diversity becoming a focal point in the US election? And why was Galway chosen as one of its bases? The CEO and co-founder of Rent the Runway, Jennifer Hyman joined Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. Head to www.mypodcastfeedback.com , pop in code TECH and fill out the short survey to be in with the chance of winning a €500 OneforAll voucher. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 29, 202430 min

Forget the reviews: here are the five gadgets I actually use every day

Where would you be without your smartwatch? What’s the best way to listen to music in your kitchen? Who’s going to vacuum the living room when you learn a surprise guest is on the way? In this episode, Adrian talks through his choices with producer Dee Reddy and shares a few more for good measure. From robot vacuums, to low technology coffee making – some of the best technology are in the items we use every day. Head to www.mypodcastfeedback.com , pop in code TECH and fill out the short survey t...

Aug 27, 202428 min

Google’s new Pixel 9 phones: the good, the bad and the slightly weird

Are Google’s latest Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL phones worth getting? Adrian Weckler goes through all of the pros and cons, including some of the dystopian new AI features baked in. On The Big Tech Show this week, Adrian is joined by producer Dee Reddy to discuss. Head to www.mypodcastfeedback.com , pop in code TECH and fill out the short survey to be in with the chance of winning a €500 OneforAll voucher. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 22, 202428 min

A slimmer iPhone, Apple’s new robotic iPad and Facebook’s useful AI glasses: tech to get excited about

What might Apple’s new robotic iPad do? Will we see long lasting EV batteries? And are AI glasses finally about to become a real thing? Adrian looks at the tech that might inspire or give us hope over the coming months and years. Producer, JJ Clarke, joins Adrian on today’s episode of The Big Tech Show to discuss. Head to www.mypodcastfeedback.com , pop in code TECH and fill out the short survey to be in with the chance of winning a €500 OneforAll voucher. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Aug 20, 202425 min

Overhyped AI, Apple flops and no self-driving cars: is this tech’s worst year yet?

What is the next big thing in tech? Is it AI? Is it Apple’s Vision Pro? Or might 2024 be the most boring year for tech ever? Producer, JJ Clarke, joins Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show to discuss what might be tech’s blandest year. How would you like to win a €500 OneforAll voucher ? Head to mypodcastfeedback.com , pop in code TECH and fill out the short survey. You can also find the survey link in the show notes. Don't miss out on your chance to win! See omnystudio.com/listene...

Aug 15, 202425 min

No money, no holidays, no sick pay — welcome to life as a startup founder

What does it take to build a startup? What do you have to give up or sacrifice? How many extra hours do you have to work? What about the loss of things like holidays, sick pay? And what's the pressure like from loved ones who might want a stable and predictable present and future? Adrian is joined on The Big Tech Show this week by co-founders of AI accessibility platform, DevA11y, Cormac Chisholm and Patrick Guiney-Fox. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 08, 202420 min

Mac or PC? Which is the best computer system to buy?

Is now the time to buy a Mac in the wake of the Crowdstrike blue screen of death? Is a Mac better than a Windows PC? And what are the pros and cons of each? Editor at large with TechRadar, Lance Ulanoff, joined Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. During last month's global IT outage, one cohort of computer owners didn’t bat an eyelid and that was Apple Mac computer owners. They were unaffected by this meltdown. Prompted by this Adrian and Lance debate the good and the bad of Appl...

Aug 06, 202424 min

The TV Licence shambles and trouble at Ireland’s National Cyber Security Centre

Do you feel like a mug for paying your TV licence? Are you going to end up covering those that don’t? And what’s going on at the National Cyber Security centre? This week the Irish Independent published internal documents from the National Cyber Security Centre that showed serious problems within the security body. These included management issues but more specifically a hiring crisis that is starting to affect this institution that is supposed to protect this country from cyber attacks. Produce...

Aug 01, 202431 min

Killer robots and the Irish Google worker who quit because of it

Are killer robots a realistic threat? We hear reports of things like drones using AI in war zones, but how advanced is the technology generally now? and what sort of guardrails are in place? Adrian is joined on The Big Tech Show this week by software engineer and lethal autonomous weapons expert, Laura Nolan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 30, 202430 min

IDA CEO interview: Trump, tariffs and tech overregulation

Is the IDA worried about a Trump presidency? What would his tariffs do to Irish business? And should Ireland be looking to grow domestic rather than foreign investment? CEO of the IDA, Michael Lohan joined Adrian on The Big Tech Show this week. Adrian began by asking what a Trump 10% tariff would mean for Ireland as an open economy which is vulnerable to fluctuations in the global market. The CEO said that he sees tariffs as counterproductive to global trade and innovation. Lohan made the point ...

Jul 25, 202426 min

America innovates, Europe regulates' -- is the EU strangling tech services and startups?

Is the EU strangling tech services such as Meta AI and Apple AI with regulation? Is it doing the same to startups here? Is the phrase 'America innovates, Europe regulates' accurate? Venture partner at Sure Valley Ventures, Donal Cahalane, joined Adrian on the show. Adrian opened with the question is Europe a bad place for budding startups. DC answered that start-ups in Europe must fight against more regulation than their US counterparts. He added that in the States there is an attitude of asking...

Jul 23, 202424 min

The neutering of the Ford Capri and other crimes in car design

Last week Ford relaunched the Capri model. Instead of being the exciting, lust worthy, affordable sports car we saw in the 1970s, it's a middle of the road, small, bland SUV that's almost indistinguishable from anything. Why did they play it safe? Is the bland SUV design more popular? And has the badge of this iconic car been sunk? Adrian is joined on the show this week by partnerships director of Nevo Ireland and founder of Nevo EV Review YouTube channel, Derek Reilly. Derek spoke about the mot...

Jul 18, 202420 min

Samsung Unpacked - from a new smart ring to folding phones to Sydney Sweeney looking bored

Has Samsung’s Galaxy Ring kicked off the “smart ring” era? How much is it? And what other products did the tech giant release? On The Big Tech Show this week Adrian is joined by producer, JJ Clarke. The electronics company revealed a new range of foldable smarthphones, smartwatches and a smart ring at its Unpacked event this week. Adrian spoke about this being a significant move by Samsung into the smart ring space which has largely been dominated by market leader Oura. The Galaxy Ring however i...

Jul 16, 202429 min

Why I left a great career in banking to run a small startup in breast milk technology

For many people, a well-paid, high-flying career in a firm like Davy's Stockbrokers is considered a destination job in life. But not Rosanne Longmore, who went from being chief operating officer at Davy Wealth Management to leading and starting her own startup based on a concern that mothers and babies weren't getting proper attention when feeding with breast milk. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 11, 202422 min
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