The Big Tech Show

What streaming platform is most popular? Which streamer is focussing on quality? And does subscription cost make a difference? ­ Dave Hanratty of the Irish Independent and the No Encore podcast, joins Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kurt Wagner, Senior Reporter at Bloomberg leading and author of Battle for the Bird: Jack Dorsey, Elon Musk, and the $44 Billion Fight for Twitter's Soul, joins Adrian for this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eamonn O'Reilly, Chairman of the Energy and Action Committee at the Irish Academy of Engineering and energy policy expert, dives into the conversation about the potential role of nuclear energy in Ireland. He highlights the urgency for Ireland to reconsider nuclear options, especially with energy reliability concerns. O'Reilly shares insights on small modular reactors (SMRs), their advantages over traditional systems, and the challenges posed by current legislation. He also tackles public perception and safety comparisons between nuclear and fossil fuels, making the case for thoughtful planning in energy transition.

Stani Kulechov, the Finnish entrepreneur and founder of Aave, dives into the world of stablecoins and their pivotal role in decentralized finance. He outlines how stablecoins, backed by traditional currencies, are crucial for on-chain transactions. Stani highlights the growth potential of the stablecoin market, estimated at $300 billion, and explains the importance of the PUSH bridge for converting fiat to crypto. He also discusses the regulatory clarity provided by Aave's EU MICAR license, which promises to enhance user experience while ensuring safety and compliance.

Ruth Freeman, Director of Research for Society at Research Ireland, shares her insights on Dublin's journey toward becoming a smart city. She discusses how technology can enhance urban life, balancing the benefits and challenges of innovations like drones and public transport. Ruth also highlights Dublin City Council's open data initiatives and collaborative approach to urban planning. The conversation spans topics like autonomous vehicles, smart lighting, and community engagement, painting a picture of a city striving for sustainability amidst technological challenges.

Stephen Witt, a journalist and author of 'The Thinking Machine', dives into the fascinating world of Jensen Huang, the enigmatic CEO of Nvidia. Witt reveals Huang's inspiring journey from a challenging childhood to leading a tech empire that recently surpassed a $5 trillion valuation. The discussion explores Nvidia's pivotal role in the AI boom, the historical breakthroughs that propelled its dominance, and Huang's intense management style. Witt also examines the significance of Huang's leather jacket and the geopolitical risks surrounding Nvidia's future.

Saoirse Hanley, a money journalist at the Irish Independent, dives into the tech world, revealing exciting insights on Amazon's new subsea cable, which promises to strengthen Ireland's internet infrastructure. She discusses Apple's plans for a budget laptop aimed at students, highlighting its affordability and specs. The conversation also touches on Trump's insistence that Nvidia’s advanced chips remain in the US, sparking a debate on technological sovereignty and geopolitical impacts.

Maeve McTaggart, a news and political reporter for the Irish Independent, dives into the fascinating world of AI in Ireland. She reveals ChatGPT's dominance, with 84% of AI queries stemming from its service. Maeve explores the emergence of chatbots as informal therapists, discussing how many use them for support. She also highlights the risks of misinformation from AI outputs and the user responsibility that comes with it. The discussion raises provocative questions about the impact of AI on emotional well-being and human relationships.

Could the dodgy box users finally face fines? Why is Ireland looking to copy Italy? And will it curb illegal streaming in Ireland? Darragh Nolan, Multi-Media reporter, with the Irish Independent joins Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. Irish dodgy-box users would face direct fines for the first time under new plans being considered by broadcasters and copyright authorities. It is understood the move is being planned by large TV rights holders such as Sky, after a similar crackdown was introduced in Italy. That move led to thousands of dodgy-box users getting fined earlier this year. According to a recent Sunday Independent poll, up to one in five Irish households use dodgy boxes. That represents up to 400,000 people illegally streaming content like sport and movies. 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.

How do you spot a deepfake? What are telltale signs of AI-videos? And who is responsible for synthetic fake videos posted on social media? JJ Clarke, producer, joins Adrian on this week’s episode of The Big Tech Show. Adrian began the conversation by discussing the recent deepfake videos on Catherine Connolly on Facebook. A series of Al deepfake videos of RTÉ news bulletins criticising presidential candidate Catherine Connolly amassed over 160,000 views and hundreds of genuine comments on Facebook over several days before being removed. 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.