Irish Independent

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.

Author

Irish Independent

Category

Technology

Podcast website

www.independent.ie

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

Where to listen?

Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soon

Podcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts

Get it on Google Play Install for free Android 5M+ downloads · 4.8 rating iOS soon

Episodes

Dodgy boxes: Sky, private investigators, WhatsApp groups and whether owners should be worried 01.07.2025

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...

AI regulation and why Irish startups are being driven abroad 26.06.2025

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...

Scrub your social media and texts: a lawyer advises how to get through US border control 24.06.2025

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. Imm...

On the frontline in the LA riots: running from flash grenades and the tech used by protesters 19.06.2025

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.

When is it okay to ignore a text from your boss? 17.06.2025

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.

What Apple announced for iPhones, Macs, iPads and Watches at WWDC, and its minimalist position on AI 11.06.2025

What is the latest from Apple’s WWD conference? Is the tech giant behind on AI? And are there any exciting new features? Adrian is currently in Cupertino at Apple Park, California, where Apple just showcased their latest product upgrades. There were three main areas of focus; iOS 26, Liquid Glass and AI features. CCS Insight analysts, Ben Wood and Leo Gebbie, joined Adrian to discuss the new suite...

How Kilmacud Crokes’ corner forward became CEO of payments giant Sumup 06.06.2025

How did Niall Mac an tSionnaigh go from selling Christmas trees to CEO of SumUp? What’s his leadership style? And why is cash a thing of the past? ­ Niall Mac an tSionnaigh, CEO of SumUp joins Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. ­ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cheat, blackmail, threaten: how AI models could turn bad 03.06.2025

Could AI potentially blackmail humans in the future? Would it be a help or hindrance to schools? And will it lead to mass unemployment? Conor Kelly, head of growth at Human Loop, joins Adrian in this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From cookery demos to Ford's first female UK-Ireland boss, Lisa Brankin has a plan to revive Ford's sales with EVs 29.05.2025

How did Lisa Brankin go from home economics to managing director? What lessons did she learn from her parents? And why are we a long way off autonomous vehicles? Lisa Brankin, chair and managing director of Ford in Britain and Ireland, joins Adrian Weckler on this episode of the Big Tech Show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Google’s new AI features: fitter, faster, stronger, hungrier 22.05.2025

What were Google’s top AI announcements? How does ‘pick and pay’ work? And will virtually trying on clothes become the norm? JJ Clarke, producer, joins host Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. The tech editor began by discussing Google’s new AI mode and how it will aid users when shopping. The new feature empowers the AI agent to shop on the users behalf, including doing the back-e...

Worried about US border control checking your phone? Steps to get you through 13.05.2025

What are the steps to navigating tech at US border control? How can we learn from Lithuania’s cyber defence? And what is the new sport of sperm racing? JJ Clarke, producer, joins host, Katie Byrne, standing in for Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. Katie began by discussing an article that featured in the Irish Independent about navigating US border control phone checks at the air...

Amazon’s new warehouse robots to replace workers; the single best ultra budget phone revealed 08.05.2025

What does Amazon new Vulcan robot do? Why is the new Nothing phone the best affordable option? And how should the DPC respond to TikTok storing data on Chinese servers? JJ Clarke, producer, joins host Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bestselling Irish author Shane Hegarty on AI ripping off writers’ books 06.05.2025

Will AI replace authors? How will we spot real from the fake? And have some LLMs already been trained on authors’ books? Shane Hegarty, bestselling children’s book author joined Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. Adrian began by reading out a five-hundred-word excerpt generated by chat GPT in the style of author Shane Hegarty. The tech editor then asked Shane to rate the piece for...

How hackers bypass fingerprint readers on phones 29.04.2025

Is YouTube the most powerful media of all? How are hackers bypassing biometrics using artificial fingertips? And are Irish jobs on the line as Intel swings its layoff axe? JJ Clarke, producer, joins host Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show.  The tech editor began by discussing a report by the pan-European Policing Authority Europol which has joined other IT security organizations in...

Phallic rockets and fake astronauts: the case for space with Leo Enright 24.04.2025

What is the case for space? Does humanity benefit from it? And are the environmental impacts too great? Leo Enright, space commentator, former RTE and BBC correspondent joins Adrian on the Big Tech Show. Adrian began the conversation by asking was there any scientific merit to the Blue Origin New Shephard rocket which last week made a sub-orbital flight with an all-female crew to the edge of space...

Wunderkid Adam Dalton — the 8-figure sale of the company he built in school and his new heavily-backed venture 15.04.2025

What made Adam Dalton realise he loved selling? Which teacher influenced him in secondary school? And what are the downsides of a multi-million euro exit? Adam Dalton, co-founder of Jamango! former CEO and co-founder of Robotify, joins Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. Adam Dalton seemed destined for entrepreneurship with an early love of LEGO and Minecraft. Adrian began the conv...

TikTok, Tariffs and Trump: An uncertain future for Ireland's tech sector? 08.04.2025

Will Irish jobs be impacted if the EU go after US tech services? Is Ireland the likely battle ground for a digital trade war? And why did the Chinese pull out of the deal to sell TikTok? JJ Clarke, Producer, joins host Donal O’Donovan on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. The business editor began by pointing out that Ireland sells about 52 billion dollars' worth of digital services to the...

How Ireland became the world’s biggest dump for useless data 01.04.2025

How much energy do data centres consume? What kind of data do they store? And is Ireland now a landfill for junk data? Caroline O’Doherty, Environment correspondent with the Irish Independent joins Donal O’Donovan on the Big Tech Show this week. The environment correspondent started by talking about why companies like building data centres in Ireland. Caroline O’Doherty stated that; Ireland has a...

Dumb and dumber (the US Signal fiasco), why your 23andMe DNA data might be up for sale and social media lessons from Adolescence 27.03.2025

How did US military leaders accidentally add a journalist to their group chat? What should users of DNA test 23andme do now that the company is going bankrupt? And why has Netflix show Adolescence created such a panic about teenage phone use? Producer, JJ Clarke, joined Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show to discuss the latest tech news. The tech editor started by discussing the rec...

Neutrality and the question of an arms industry in Ireland 25.03.2025

What is happening with the weaponisation of technology? From Musk threatening to shut off Starlink in Ukraine to the Israeli’s arming hundreds of pagers. And where does Ireland’s neutrality stand in all of this? Declan Power, security and defence analyst, joins the Big Tech Show for this week’s episode. The tech editor began by asking the defence expert about Ireland’s neutral stance. Declan Power...

Amazon.ie is finally here - everything you need to know 20.03.2025

What should you know about the new Amazon.ie website? Is it worth switching over from the UK domain? Is it cheaper? Producer, JJ Clarke, joined Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show to discuss the latest tech news. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why you should not buy the new MacBook Air M4. Also: the cost to Apple’s credibility from the delay of Apple Intelligence and Intel’s plight in Ireland 18.03.2025

What’s the new MacBook Air like? Should you upgrade to it? And can a new CEO rescue Intel’s woes? Producer, JJ Clarke, joined Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show to discuss the latest tech news. Adrian began the conversation by talking about the new MacBook Air with an M4 chip. He advised the listener to consider older versions of the MacBook Air with either M2 or M3 chips as they a...

Tesla becomes MAGA’s official car brand as sales crater worldwide 13.03.2025

Is buying a Tesla now a political statement? Are people now shying away from the EV brand? And has Elon’s support of Trump spelled disaster for Tesla sales? Derek Reilly, partnership director with Nevo, joins Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump, meme coins and what to expect from crypto in 2025 11.03.2025

What’s going on with crypto? What’s the state of play with meme coins? And is the market about to crash? Katie Byrne, Money editor with the Irish Independent, joins Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. Adrian began by discussing Trump coin, Donald Trump’s meme coin which has reportedly made 350 million dollars since its launch. The money editor told Adrian that after announcing his...

Chinese phone brands in Ireland — junk or underrated? Plus why 6G may not be built after 5G’s flop 06.03.2025

What’s are the benefits of 6G? Are the Chinese phone brands flooding the market any good? And what’s different about the new iPad Air? Producer, JJ Clarke, joined Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show to discuss the latest tech news. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the The Big Tech Show podcast in Replaio

Radio and podcasts in one app - free, with no sign-up. Install today and do not miss the launch

Get it on Google Play

Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.