The Big Tech Show

It's been six days since Meta launched its new platform Threads. A rival to Twitter, it has already gained over 100 million users. What is Threads like and can Irish users sign up? Adrian Weckler takes a look at the much hyped new social media platform.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Online safety is a topic that we’re yet to find the answer to. Self-regulation by the online platforms doesn’t seem to be cutting it. Now, Ireland has its own online safety commissioner who is tasked with bringing these tech companies in line. Adrian is joined by Ireland’s first online safety commissioner, Niamh Hodnett. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's the transition from sports superstar to tech actually like? Bernard Brogan knows more than most. He has won four all-star awards, seven all-Irelands and had a glittering career in the GAA. Now he has just got funding for his startup PepTalk and is looking to grow the business in the US. Adrian is joined by Bernard Brogan for this week’s Big Tech Show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When people talk about quantum computing, they often move quickly to the science fiction area. Stuff like time travel or multiverses. But what is it actually really all about? Adrian is joined by Dr. John Goold, Associate Professor in Physics at Trinity College Dublin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why are we so prone to panicking over new technology? Where once we freaked out about video games, the Internet and 5G, now it's artificial intelligence which we worry will cause the end of civilisation. Has our fear of AI gone too far or is it merely healthy scepticism? Adrian is joined by Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at TCD and Barry Lunn, Founder & CEO of Provizio AI. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wexford based Niall Kehoe started coding at the age of eight and developed his own apps when he was 10. Now the Enniscorthy teenager has made it into the world's top tech college, Stanford University, on a full scholarship. Adrian caught up with Niall on a visit to San Jose, California, where Stanford's main campus is. They discuss his journey getting into Stanford, what life there is really like, and what plans he might have next. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apple's vision of the future is finally here, and they called it the Vision Pro. Is the headset just another failed VR project in the making or can Apple truly succeed where everyone else has failed? From Apple HQ in Cupertino, California Adrian is joined by Stuart Miles and Leo Gebbie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A monorail, solar panels for all and a universal basic income are some of the things that Ireland could do with up to €60bn in extra tech cash from fines, budget surpluses and potential back tax rulings from Europe. But what should we sensibly do with all that money?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everything is changing in the crypto world. There's new regulations which have been broadly welcomed. So what's happened? Well, after years of trash talking crypto as a Ponzi scheme, regulators have now started to embrace it and give it rules to adhere to. Will this make crypto mainstream and what will it mean for those who trade in crypto? Host: Adrian Weckler. Guests: Lory Kehoe and Jon Ihle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a strange week in the world of multinationals, big tech companies and the Irish Exchequer. Ireland seems to be doing its best to turn away an awful lot of money. First, we have the news of Meta's €1.2 billion fine imposed by the Irish Data Protection Commissioner, which didn't want to impose that fine. Now we have the case of Apple and Ireland versus the European Commission, where Ireland doesn't want the €14 billion in back tax that the European Commission says we're owed. Adrian discusses the latest, including the Meta layoffs announced this week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.