The Big Tech Show

Hosted by Irish Independent

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Episodes

567

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the 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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 11, 202627 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 useSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 9, 202618 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/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 2, 202633 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 useSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 28, 202623 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/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 26, 202628 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 useSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 19, 202628 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, 202637 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/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 5, 202627 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/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 30, 202630 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/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 21, 202626 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.