Best of 2024

Technology news and interviews from Ireland, brought to you by the team at TechCentral.ie.

Tech Radio Ireland

This week we look at bad news for Binance, great news for Amazon and the EU takes on Meta over election interference.

Later, Niall Kitson talks with Dr Ge róid Ó Súilleabháin is Head of the Department of Technology Enhanced Learning at Munster Technological University about how open source software and open data can help open minds.

Broadband from space and Dr Gearóid Ó Súilleabháin from MTU on technology enhanced learing

This week we look at why Intel is selling a share in it’s Leixlip plant, the cancelled moon trip and Humane looks for a buyer. Plus a fascinating conversation on generative AI with Accenture head of technology Austin Boyle.

The moon gets cancelled and Accenture's Austin Boyle on GenAI

This week Amazon calls time on remote working, Google gets one ove on the European Commission, some disturbing news about your smartphone, and we find out more about the ‘Dead Internet' theory.

Plus, Niall learns about the latest developments in extended reality with Eirmersive interim CEO Camille Donegan.

Eirmersive interim CEO Camille Donegan on XR in Ireland

On this week’s show, social network X loses a popularity contest, Apple is on the hook for billions from an unexpected source and Ireland still can’t get its head around passwords.

Later, CEO of The Futures Agency and futurist Gerd Leonhard talks about the challenges to teaching science, technology, engineering and maths when factual solutions (and hallucinations) are a few prompts away.

Rethinking education in the age of AI with futurist Gerd Leonhard

Dusty, Niall and special guest Jason Walsh take a bold leap forecasting the tech trends that will define the year ahead.  
We look at how blockchain will transform secure voting, digital IDs and cryptocurrency. We also ask how long the Trump/Musk bromance can last? We examine the potential for cyberwarfare, drone advancements, and how fragile infrastructure like the cloud could be a target.  Plus with the rise of AI systems making decisions without human input, are we ready to relinquish control?  
Get ready for some bold predictions, sharp insights and a sprinkle of humour in your essential tech guide to the year ahead.

A look forward to 2025

This week Niall and Dusty chat about the wedding of the year courtesy of Jeff Bezos. Trump Mobile’s ‘American’ phone fails to meet expectations and with Tesla’s robotaxi has a mixed start in Austin. Also up for discussion are two cases tackling AI, copyright and fair use.
We also find out more about early-stage Irish startups, who are driving transformative solutions for a greener future with BnM’s Accelerate Green Grow Programme. Sharing their stories are Frank Daly from JTM Energy; Paul Mahon from Watt Footprint; and Michael O’Shea from Pulse Market. 

Jeff Bezos presents the social event of the year

This week Jason and Dusty find out more about the dark side of WeTransfer; the EU’s digital passport you may need to access the Internet; and the dark reality of AI replacing workers, starting with the people who built it.

Rant show: Passing the buck

This week, Microsoft dropped an emergency patch for a vulnerability in Sharepoint that Chinese hackers have been exploiting since 7 July. Plus, now age verification is here how are social media platforms making sure users are of age?
Lastly, we learn about EdTips, a push to bring science, technology and engineering into primary schools with Keith Nolan from TU Dublin.

Microsoft’s Sharepoint patchwork and Keith Nolan from TU Dublin on EdTips

We often talk about the work people won’t have to do thanks to technologies like automation and AI. However, there are plenty of jobs out there that people shouldn’t be doing in the first place. This week Niall Kitson is joined by Anybotics' senior product manager and Swiss chapter co-lead of Women in Robotics Kateryna Portmann, and technical project manager for Verity Nazrin Aliyeva to talk about the state of the art.

Kateryna Portmann and Nazrin Aliyeva on new directions in robotics

In this episode we look at the many shapes of artificial intelligence, from companies that don’t love us back, to optiistic valuations, and Accenture head of technology in Ireland Austin Boyle shares his thoughts on how AI agents have yet to fulfill their promise. Finally, as Pac-Man turns 45 Niall and Dusty revisit the golden age of arcade games.

Accenture’s Austin Boyle on agentic AI and beyond

Technology news from Ireland to the world