Shows
For Tech’s SakeLooking back in angerToday is gonna be the day that Kelly and Elaine are gonna throw a look back on a bleak week of tech news, from some shocking revelations over at Meta AI to some concerning behaviour from Stripe’s customer service team. We also look into why VPN advertising has ramped up in Ireland and leave you with something you can use to spend your days in the sunshine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-08-2139 minFor Tech’s SakeDigital sexual literacyWe are delighted to be joined in this episode by Benji Foley, a PhD researcher at DCU's Institute for Research on Genders and Sexualities, who explains the concept of digital sexual literacy and why it’s important we build this up in young people. In particular, Benji’s research looks at digital sexual literacy among young people from the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland, and what he’s learned in the early stages of his research might surprise you. Kelly and Elaine also look at the release of OpenAI’s new GPT-5 model, a Google Maps blunder that led...
2025-08-1440 minFor Tech’s SakeThe bloody streamSpotify CEO Daniel Ek’s investments in AI military technologies are turning off musicians and listeners. Kelly Earley and Elaine Burke discuss the many ethical issues Spotify’s streaming has waded into and how the algorithmic flow of music has affected their own listening habits, and Kelly floats some alternative options for music-lovers. Kelly also gives us a speedy intro to Formula E and Elaine has a surprising fact that links ’90s punk band The Offspring with some modern medical marvels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-08-0737 minFor Tech’s SakePalestine: A testing ground for digital rights oppressionElaine Burke speaks to Riham Al Faqih, development and outreach director with MIFTAH, a civil society organisation based in Palestine, about digital rights violations committed against Palestinians. Their conversation took place shortly after an internet blackout in Gaza, and highlights how Palestine has become a testing ground for the advancement of surveillance tech. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-07-3136 minFor Tech’s SakeWhat's my age again?Kicking off a new season of For Tech’s Sake, hosts Elaine Burke and Kelly Earley discuss recent developments in age verification for social media and online platforms within the EU and the UK. They assess the practical challenges, examine the privacy risks and debate the implications of relying on tech alone to solve this problem. Listen to the end for our suggestion of something good you can find online today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-07-2436 min
For Tech’s SakeNew host, who this?For Tech’s Sake is back with an all-new series, a brand new co-host and lots more tech stories to talk about.Join Elaine Burke and Kelly Earley as they look at tech through a critical lens – not evangelising or demonising it, but definitely throwing a bit of shade when it’s deserved.Follow us for updates:InstagramBlueskyTikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-07-1701 min
For Tech’s SakeBest of HeadStuff 2024Happy New Year HeadStuff Listeners!As a special New Year’s treat, we’ve compiled the very best moments from all our HeadStuff shows into one episode. Relive the laughs, surprises, and unforgettable moments of 2024!To find your favourite HeadStuff shows go to the timestamps below.This is a HeadStuff Podcast produced by Hilary Barry. Edited by Claire Patena. Hosted by Hilary Barry and Jack Kelly.1:40 - The Lovely Show 4:55 - Young Hot Guys 6:24 - Listen, I’m, Delicious 8:00 - The G Spot 10:11 - The Baby Tri...
2025-01-0129 min
For Tech’s SakeFTS x CONNECT: The secret to a good passwordCybersecurity researcher Dr Hazel Murray has developed a knack for guessing Irish people’s passwords. But is it really our fault that our passwords have become predictable? Listen to this episode to find out why some of the standards enforced on passwords are actually making our accounts less secure, and what you need to do to start the new year with better password protection.You can check out ForTechsSake.info for links to more resources, or find out more about CONNECT at ConnectCentre.ie and keep up with their research by subscribing to the...
2024-12-1143 min
For Tech’s SakeFTS x CONNECT: QuantumaniaAre you confused by quantum? You’re not alone! 100 years on and even the science hasn’t settled on quantum mechanics and how they can be applied to technologies such as computing. But how we harness this emergent technology from the outset could have long-term impacts, which is why researchers at the CONNECT Research Ireland Centre for Future Networks and Communications are exploring not just quantum computing and quantum networks, but the policy and communication around such technologies.So strap yourself in for a world-expanding conversation with Dr Harun Šiljak and Dr Tom O’Dea from the Not...
2024-12-0439 min
For Tech’s SakeFTS x CONNECT: Blowing off some STEAMFrom cross-stitching your research proposals to diagramming the quantum internet, there are many ways that art and science can intersect – and it’s when artists in research are treated as equals that you get the best, most transformative results. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion as we dissect the concept of STEAM and try to word the world better with Dr Jessica Foley and Dennis McNulty from the CONNECT Research Ireland Centre for Future Networks and Communications.You can check out ForTechsSake.info for links to more resources, or find out more about CONNECT...
2024-11-2738 min
For Tech’s SakeFTS x CONNECT: Passports to slow fashionYou know we love sustainability so we were very excited to learn about plans for digital product passports, which could slow down fast fashion, boost our right to repair and help shoppers make more informed choices. Explaining this transformative tech for us are Dr Grace Walsh and Dr John Dooley from the CONNECT Research Ireland Centre for Future Networks and Communications.You can check out ForTechsSake.info for links to more resources, or find out more about CONNECT at ConnectCentre.ie and keep up with their research by subscribing to their newsletter.
2024-11-2025 min
For Tech’s SakeFTS x CONNECT: The road to driverless carsJenny and Elaine are back in studio and catching up after Elaine was zooming around San Francisco in a driverless taxi. But how close are we to seeing fully autonomous cars on every road? Will Tesla’s Cybercab have enough in its computer vision system to see where it’s going? And how safe are self-driving cars, really? We put all these questions to Dr Aisling O’Driscoll, a researcher at the CONNECT Research Ireland Centre for Future Networks and Communications. At CONNECT, Aisling is discovering how connecting vehicles to create a vast information-sharing network can help im...
2024-11-1339 min
For Tech’s SakeIntroducing FTS x CONNECTFor Tech’s Sake is back with a very special mini-series in partnership with the CONNECT Research Ireland Centre for Future Networks and Communications. Starting from Science Week, we’ll be releasing a new episode every week for five weeks, exploring the intersection of science, art and society with CONNECT researchers. In this preview episode, hear from CONNECT’s director Prof Dan Kilper about what to expect.You can check out ForTechsSake.info for links to more resources, or find out more about CONNECT at ConnectCentre.ie and keep up with their research by subscribing to their...
2024-11-0608 minFor Tech’s SakeThe internet under the seaDespite all our “wireless” connectivity and “cloud” computing, the internet we enjoy today relies on extensive cables that cross seas and oceans, and our island on the edge of Europe has had a crucial role to play in this global network, both in the past and present. In this episode, we get a history lesson in telecommunications from Deryck Fay, author of Connecting A Nation, who appears alongside Elaine in the upcoming documentary, The Cable that Changed the World. We also follow this development to the present day, and examine Ireland’s continued critical position in protecting the internet’s infrastruc...
2024-08-0745 minFor Tech’s SakeDon’t roll out updates on a FridayCrowdStrike learned some valuable lessons in software deployment recently – lessons that it should have known already, arguably, as they would be concerned golden rules and best practices. Jenny and Elaine talk through the software disaster that was, and the ill-advised gesture of goodwill that back-fired on CrowdStrike. They also have a public service announcement regarding how X is sneakily assuming your consent for training AI for Grok and xAI.For links to the stories discussed in this episode, check out ForTechsSake.info.CONTENT NOTE: This episode contains swearing. Hosted on Acast. See...
2024-07-3120 minFor Tech’s SakeBot safe for workIn this episode, Elaine and Jenny look at the risks of working with robots – and it’s not just that they might steal your job. For this discussion, they are joined by Tom Deegan, a health and safety consultant at Mackin EHS who has become the go-to guy for risk assessments in workplaces introducing robotics and cybernetics, ensuring that the bots behave and everyone is safe. (You might even say he’s a robo-cop.)You can find out more about Mackin EHS at MackinConsultancy.com or connect with Tom on LinkedIn. And check out ForTechsSake.info for links t...
2024-07-2443 minFor Tech’s SakeEventosterone and AI-generated hyperslopThis week we are celebrating Irish techin’ legends Réaltra and Dr Lisa Heffernan, for their roles in the ESA’s Ariane 6 rocket launch and LISA mission, respectively. We also have new names for our recent tech bugbears: aggressive eventing and the AI sludge populating the internet.For links to the stories discussed in this episode, and videos of a giant robot and terrible images generated by AI, check out ForTechsSake.info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-07-1724 minFor Tech’s SakeYou can’t mistake our cyberpsychologyWe often look at the mental and emotional effects of technology on For Tech’s Sake, and this episode we have expert help in understanding it all in the form of cyberpsychologist Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton, a lecturer on the topic at IADT.You can follow Nicola on Instagram @nicolafoxh and on X @foxnic, and check out her work on her website, NicolaFoxHamilton.com. And head to ForTechsSake.info for some relevant links and resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-07-1040 minFor Tech’s SakeTicking all the boxesIt’s a bold title for an episode in which Elaine didn’t come prepared, but thank god we have Jenny, who’s calling out Perplexity’s plagiarism and hailing the creator of OneMillionCheckboxes.com. And while Jenny is in a trance ticking boxes on the internet, Elaine is also mesmerised by a phenomenon she calls ‘TikTok hands’. She’s also got a terrifying tale of robots with human-like skin and Billy Roll faces.For links to the stories discussed in this episode, and images of horrifying robot skin, check out ForTechsSake.info.CONTENT NOTE: Th...
2024-07-0329 minFor Tech’s SakeAlgorithms of lifeAlgorithms – they’re everywhere! But what the hell are they, how much influence do they wield and what makes them tick? This episode we’re joined by Megan Nyhan to explain it all.Megan is a PhD researcher at D-Real where she is working on a framework for designing ethical and trustworthy AI recommender systems. Be sure to find her on LinkedIn if you are interested in Encode Justice and AI 2030. And head to ForTechsSake.info for all the links and resources for this episode.CONTENT NOTE: This episode includes some discussion on eating d...
2024-06-2651 minFor Tech’s SakeElephant intelligenceWe’ve got all the AI updates covered in this episode, from Apple Intelligence and elephant intelligence to user backlash and self-driving car crashes. And we end with a shout-out for legendary computing pioneer Lynn Conway, who passed away earlier this month.For links to the stories discussed in this episode, check out fortechssake.info.CONTENT NOTE: This episode contains some swearing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-06-1936 minFor Tech’s SakeMatters of life and dataIn this episode, we're looking at health data all the way from the cradle to the grave, and beyond! Helping us on this journey is Prof Ciara Heavin, co-director of the Health Information Systems Research Centre at University College Cork and founder of CommPAL, a software platform using AI to better allocate specialist palliative care.Follow Ciara on X @c_heavin and get links and resources for this episode at ForTechsSake.info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-06-1242 minFor Tech’s SakeCanva creates cringeIn this bonus episode from For Tech’s Sake, Elaine and Jenny weigh up whether Canva’s cringe-inducing rap announcement was junk or genius, and stick it to Spotify for junking Car Thing (a decision they thankfully rowed back on after recording).For links to the stories and embarrassing videos discussed in this episode, check out fortechssake.info.CONTENT NOTE: This episode contains some swearing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-06-0518 minFor Tech’s SakeThink of the children!Everyone's talking about kids and tech, but is the internet responsible for young people's anxieties? And are bans an effective way of moderating behaviour? We looked at the research and spoke to an expert in early childhood education, Paula Walshe, who believes we can do better at teaching positive tech use from a young age.Paula is a PhD researcher and assistant lecturer with Dundalk Institute of Technology. You can find out more about her work on TheDigitalEarlyChildhoodEducator.ie and you can also check out her own podcast, the ECE Quality Ireland Podcast – and keep an eye...
2024-05-2950 minFor Tech’s SakeRoomba-quality workIn this bonus episode from For Tech’s Sake, Elaine and Jenny assess where we’re at with the current AI hype cycle (with some help from a scathing op-ed from tech writer Julia Angwin), though they still find some gen-AI to have fun with. There are also more robots to talk about, because we clearly have a type.For links to the stories discussed in this episode, check out fortechssake.info.The song, Triumph of the Tech Queen, was made with Suno. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
2024-05-2225 minFor Tech’s SakeInternet of trashDid you know there are bins in Dublin connected to the internet? They are part of what’s known as the internet of things, or IoT, which is turning into something of an internet of trash for reasons other than the bins. To explain this, we have Prof Dirk Pesch, the director of Advance CRT, which is a Science Foundation Ireland centre for research and training focused on advanced networks for sustainable societies.You can follow Dirk on X (@DirkPesch) and you can find links to the stories and silly things discussed in the episode at For...
2024-05-1536 minFor Tech’s SakeInterstellar space and a doorbell for fishIn this bonus episode from For Tech’s Sake, Elaine is joined by special guest host Dr Jessamyn Fairfield, a physicist and performer of science stories. Jessamyn came to talk about the co-founder of LinkedIn being cringe with his AI double and the incredible story of how NASA has managed to get Voyager 1 back online, even though it’s in interstellar space. Meanwhile, Elaine has some stories about sus social media activity in Ireland, a Miss AI beauty pageant, and a doorbell you can ring to help fish get through a Dutch dam.For links to the...
2024-05-0833 minFor Tech’s SakeTrust the (democratic) process2024 is a major year for voters worldwide, but with tech being used to push all sorts of manipulative messaging and agendas, how can we trust what we see online during an election cycle? In this episode, we have Liz Carolan explaining how she remains (mostly) hopeful in the face of these threats to democracy, and giving us tips on how to muddle through the misinformation.Liz is a strategist and campaigner for tech and democracy, and the founder of Digital Action, a globally connected organisation campaigning to protect democracy and human rights from digital threats. Subscribe...
2024-05-0147 minFor Tech’s SakeMake robots hairy againIn this bonus episode from For Tech’s Sake, Elaine and Jenny are laughing at Grimes’s disastrous Coachella set and squealing at an impressive and terrifying new robot from Boston Dynamics. They also take Amazon’s Just Walk Out retail tech to task, chuckle at the reviews of Humane’s AI pin, and discover a new way that AI is being used for good.For links to the stories discussed in this episode, and the creepy robot video, check out fortechssake.info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-04-2425 minFor Tech’s SakeFast techIn this episode of For Tech’s Sake, Elaine and Jenny draw parallels between the tech industry and ‘fast fashion’ – notorious for its short production cycles and disregard for the environment and sustainability. Joining us for this conversation is Luísa Vasconcelos E Sousa, the new country manager of Swappie in Ireland, who introduces us to a more circular alternative for smartphone purchases.For links to the stories and reports discussed in this episode, and other resources, check out fortechssake.info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-04-1747 minFor Tech’s SakeTechin’ eejits and techin’ legendsIn this bonus episode from For Tech’s Sake, Elaine and Jenny single out their techin’ eejits and techin’ legends from recent tech news. Listen in to find out why Elaine is calling for a fight between YouTube and OpenAI, Jenny is mad at AI image generators, and both agree that scarecrows are due an upgrade.For links to the stories discussed in this episode, and some helpful visual aids, check out fortechssake.info.CONTENT NOTE: This episode contains swearing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-04-1021 minFor Tech’s SakeAI can be good, actuallyWe’re back! And we’re catching up on all the AI news, good and bad, that’s been happening. And to prove there really are good applications of AI out there, we spoke to Dr Mark O’Sullivan, co-founder and CEO of NeuroBell, which is developing a device using AI to help detect seizures in newborns. You can find out more about their work at NeuroBell.com.You can also check out the following stories discussed in this episode:— The problematic Tessa chatbot: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/06/08/1180838096/an-eating-disorders-chatbot-offered-dieting-advice-raising-fears-about-ai-in-hea— Tyler Perry’s stud...
2024-04-0344 minFor Tech’s SakeElaine and Jenny, your hostsIt’s just us, your hosts, for this bonus episode of For Tech’s Sake. Following on from our round-up of 2023, we’re giving out the For Tech’s Sake awards for Biggest Techin’ Eejit of the Year and Techin’ Legend of the Year, among others.This episode makes a lot more sense if you’ve listened to episode 15 in our main feed, and here are some other episodes we mentioned that you might enjoy:— Our robotics episode with Niamh Donnelly: https://pod.fo/e/1fd892 — Our sex-tech episode with Dr Caroline West: https://pod...
2023-12-2024 minFor Tech’s SakeWhat’s another year in tech?This week it’s just Elaine and Jenny as we round up 2023’s tech news – which took a long time to get through! And even at that, things have changed since this recording and the EU AI Act did in fact enter the next stage of its development, and we’ll be following up on that in the new year.In the meantime, we have plenty of suggestions to entertain you until we come back with season three. You might also enjoy reading the New Yorker’s report on the ‘Turkey-Shoot Clusterfuck’, or you can get lo...
2023-12-131h 01For Tech’s SakePadraig Hennessy, chair of AgTech IrelandIn this extended interview with Padraig Hennessy, chair of AgTech Ireland, you’ll hear more about how he built a successful agri-tech start-up as CEO of Terra Nutritech (from 2:20), as well as Ireland’s role in the global context of sustainable farming and some of the agritech innovations that most excite him (from 19:30).You can find out more about Terra Nutritech and the other agritech start-ups we mentioned on SiliconRepublic.com, and you can find us @fortechssakepod on your platform of choice or let us know what you think via fortechssakepod@gmail.com.We h...
2023-12-0626 minFor Tech’s SakeSmart farmingFor a sustainable future, farmers need to learn to work smarter, not harder. That’s according to our guest Padraig Hennessy, CEO of agri-tech start-up Terra NutriTECH and chair of AgTech Ireland. And while ‘smart’ often means internet-connected devices and technological wizardry, there’s a lot more to getting agri-tech right than that.You can find out more about Terra Nutri-tech and the other agritech start-ups we mentioned on SiliconRepublic.com and here are some more links on topics we discussed:— The cluck translator: https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-chickens-emotions-research-translation-japan-2023-9?r=US&IR=T— The...
2023-11-2934 minFor Tech’s SakeRachel O’Dwyer, author of TokensIf you enjoyed our chat about the digital disruption of the value of money, you're in luck because we had a lot more to discuss with Rachel O’Dwyer.Rachel is a lecturer in digital cultures at NCAD and her recent book, Tokens: The Future of Money in the Age of the Platform, explores the historical concepts underpinning digital money, while looking to the future of transactions.In this extended chat, we discuss the gendered attitudes to money that prevail, the kids growing up a world of in-game currencies and virtual gifts, as we...
2023-11-2248 minFor Tech’s SakeMoney talkDo you understand money? Neither do we, to be honest. And now that digital platforms are creating their own forms of finance – often without the restrictions of any pesky regulation – the meaning of ‘money’ continues to evolve.To get our heads around the changing nature of money, we spoke to Rachel O’Dwyer, a lecturer in digital cultures at the National College of Art and Design and the author of Tokens: The Future of Money in the Age of the Platform. Rather than deep-dive on the tech underpinning the likes of digital currencies and NFTs, we explore th...
2023-11-1543 minFor Tech’s SakeNiamh Donnelly, co-founder of Akara RoboticsIn this extended chat with Niamh Donnelly, the award-winning entrepreneur and co-founder of Akara Robotics, we learned even more about the challenges of building robots that can work with humans and went through an extensive breakdown of various robots on the market today, from Roombas to robot dogs to creepy humanoids. We also got Niamh to reveal her favourite robot, exclusively for our HeadStuff+ Community listeners. You're welcome!Jump to 17:15 for all the stuff that wasn’t in the main episode.And check out these robots:— Paro, the ‘therapeutic’ baby seal https://w...
2023-11-0838 minFor Tech’s SakeWhy robot?Robots are among us, and are likely to become an even more commonplace fixture in our future. But what does it mean to be living and working alongside robots, and what does it take to develop these robots responsibly? We spoke to Niamh Donnelly, co-founder of Akara Robotics, about these challenges and the considerations roboticists need to have for workers and society.You can check out Akara Robotics’ work and robots at Akara.ai and you can follow Niamh on Twitter at @engineeve.– Watch clips of the UN AI Summit robot press conference here...
2023-11-0139 minFor Tech’s SakeAisling Murray, Beta Festival founderWe have a whopper of an extended episode for you, with lots of talk on how technology – especially AI – intersects with the world of the arts.If you’ve already listened to the episode in our main feed, featuring our interview with Beta Festival founder Aisling Murray, here’s where you can jump in for the fresh content:— At about 8 minutes in, we unpack the use of AI for artistic admin and as a creative choice— From about 14 minutes in, we get into the legal nitty gritty of fair use and copyright, and the long...
2023-10-2556 minFor Tech’s SakeWherefore art now?In this episode we look at tech’s impact across the arts, from designers and artists to writers and musicians. We also got the lowdown on Ireland’s new festival of art and technology, Beta Festival from its founder and curator, Aisling Murray.You can follow Beta Festival @betafest_irl on both Twitter and Instagram, and follow Aisling @murray_aisling on Twitter or @ashomurray on Instagram.— Libby Heaney, one of the artists showcasing at Beta, recently spoke to Silicon Republic about her work: https://www.siliconrepublic.com/machines/quantum-computing-visual-art-uk-libby-heaney— Here’s what Paul McCartne...
2023-10-1841 minFor Tech’s SakeDr Conor Linehan, psychology researcherIn this extended interview with UCC’s Dr Conor Linehan, we talk more about how people respond to deepfakes, why some people don’t want the ability to recast every film at a whim, and why sometimes too much choice is a bad thing.As well as the risks and potential harms deepfakes pose, we discussed some positive uses of deepfakes, such as in assistive tech or artistically, such as in this Kendrick Lamar video.If you want to jump to the stuff that wasn’t covered in the main episode, jump to about 2...
2023-10-1134 minFor Tech’s SakeRolling in the deepfakesThink you could tell a deepfake from real content? Think again. Dr Conor Linehan, a senior lecturer in applied psychology at UCC, joined us to explain how easily we can be fooled into believing what we see.You can find out more about Conor and his work @conorlinehan on Twitter and you can read the Face/Off study here: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0287503— Check out the threat report on deepfakes from the NSA, FBI and CISA here: https://media.defense.gov/2023/Sep/12/2003298925/-1/-1/0/CSI-DEEPFAKE-THREATS.PDF— And te...
2023-10-0439 minFor Tech’s SakeBobby Healy, founder and CEO of MannaIn this extended interview with serial entrepreneur Bobby Healy, we find out more about his roll-out plans for drone delivery company Manna across Ireland. We also discussed some of the challenges of launching technologies like this, such as social acceptance and job displacement, and we found out more about the sustainability of drone services versus other alternatives. And, finally, we got Bobby’s very candid take on autonomous vehicles on the road and why he doesn’t see this as very viable.If you’ve already listened to the main episode, you can skip everything from about...
2023-09-2733 minFor Tech’s SakeThe drone rangerDid you know that an Irish company is one of the world leaders in developing drone delivery services? We spoke to Manna CEO and founder Bobby Healy about the challenges of getting a project like this off the ground, and why Ireland has become a popular global testbed for drone development.You can follow Bobby @realBobbyHealy on Twitter, and find out more about Manna at Manna.aero.— You might also like to read this report on the drone industry in Ireland from Silicon Republic: https://www.siliconrepublic.com/machines/drone-regulation-ireland-europe-manna-delivery-zenadrone-iaa-safety— Check out...
2023-09-2035 minFor Tech’s SakeDr Colman Noctor, child psychotherapistThis bonus episode of For Tech’s Sake features our full, uncut interview with Dr Colman Noctor, child and adolescent psychotherapist, about kids and technology. It was a wide-ranging conversation that also touched on our own use of technology and the subject of regulation.If you want to jump to the parts that weren’t already covered in the main episode, head to about 18.55, and then 31.17.You can follow Colman on Twitter @colnoc77 and read more about him and his work at ColmanNoctor.com.You can also find lots of advi...
2023-09-1338 minFor Tech’s SakeThe kids are onlineOur online spaces are being taken over – by kids! Many children as young as eight have their own devices and social media accounts, and while efforts are made to make kid-safe spaces online, that's simply not going to have the pull of the major platforms.It's a challenging world to navigate for kids, parents, and all other adults alike, so we got some help from psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor on the matter.You can follow Colman on Twitter @colnoc77 and read more about him and his work at ColmanNoctor.com.You...
2023-09-0648 minFor Tech’s SakeDr David McKeown, rocket scientist and Dublin makerIn our latest episode we spoke to Dr David McKeown, one of the originators of Dublin Maker, a fantastic and free annual event that brings together makers of all kinds for a bit of show and tell.This year’s event takes place Saturday September 2nd in Richmond Barracks, Inchicore, and in this extended interview with David you’ll learn a little more about the passion that drives scientists and engineers like David to stage an event like this year in, year out (from 9 minutes in).We also talk more about David’s day jo...
2023-08-3038 minFor Tech’s SakeBe smart and break thingsDublin Maker is coming soon so we spoke to one of its founders, Dr David McKeown, to find out all about this year’s festival and discuss the importance of events like this in encouraging people to engage with science.This year’s Dublin Maker will be hosted in Richmond Barracks on Saturday, 2 September. It’s completely free and welcoming to the creative and the curious.You can find out more about it at DublinMaker.ie and follow David at @dj_mckeown on Twitter to keep up with his work. And keep an eye ou...
2023-08-2337 minFor Tech’s SakeDr Gareth Jones, search technologies expertIn this bonus episode of For Tech’s Sake you get to hear our complete interview with Prof Gareth Jones because we simply couldn’t fit all his knowledge on search technologies and information retrieval into the main episode.In this extended interview, you’ll learn how search engine optimisation (SEO) can be used responsibly but also deployed like a dark art to manipulate search results. You’ll also find out why effective information retrieval is getting harder, and how our search queries can actually help to predict disease outbreaks.It’s fascinating stuff and...
2023-08-1643 minFor Tech’s SakeDude, where’s my bias-free search engine?How much do you know about a tech tool you use every day? Google is often the first port of call for many of us online, but how much do we understand the algorithms deciding the results of our search? And how are recommendations engines shaping our online experience?To discuss these things and more, we spoke to Prof Gareth Jones, an internationally recognised expert on information retrieval and search technologies based at the ADAPT Centre in Dublin City University.Gareth gave us an insight into how search engines work, answered our questions...
2023-08-0942 minFor Tech’s SakeDr Patricia Scanlon, Ireland’s AI ambassadorIn our latest episode we spoke to Dr Patricia Scanlon, Ireland’s AI ambassador, about the kind of work that needs to be done to build better AI, and we wondered why that isn’t already the done thing. In this extended cut of the interview, you can also hear Patricia’s thoughts on how every start-up is an AI start-up now, and why “computer says no” just won’t cut it when it comes to explaining your AI.Patricia is also the founder of SoapBox Labs, which uses AI to build speech recognition and voice-tech tailored spe...
2023-08-0245 minFor Tech’s SakePlease, AI responsiblyDr Patricia Scanlon is Ireland’s first AI ambassador, and she sees it as her duty to start a national conversation on AI and, especially, ethical AI. She joined us to talk about the kind of work that needs to be done to build better AI, and we wondered why that isn’t already the done thing.Patricia is also the founder of SoapBox Labs, which builds kid-focused speech recognition technology. Follow her @ScanlonPatricia and their work at @soapboxlabs on Twitter (we’re not calling it X).You can read more about Patricia and he...
2023-07-2643 minFor Tech’s SakeBrian Honan, cybersecurity expert and founder of BH ConsultingThere’s so much to talk to when it comes to cybersecurity that we could only fit a fraction of our discussion with internationally recognised expert Brian Honan into our main episode. Lucky for you bonus listeners, we have the entire episode here for you to listen, learn and rethink your cyber-hygiene.This one is also packed with insights for business leaders and decision-makers when it comes to cybersecurity, because as you will have heard in our main episode, Brian is not into victim-blaming when it comes to cybercrime. He can see a future where we ar...
2023-07-191h 00For Tech’s SakePractising safe techWe are not the weakest link in the cybersecurity chain, at least that’s what expert Brian Honan says. Brian is internationally recognised for his expertise on cybersecurity and has advised Europol’s Cybercrime Centre along with several innovative security companies. He has even been inducted into the Infosecurity Europe Hall of Fame.And, according to Brian, it’s the tech-makers that need to take more responsibility for the safety of our digital information. While he has some sage advice on passwords and protecting ourselves, he believes in a future where remembering dozens of different complicated sequen...
2023-07-1242 minFor Tech’s SakeAoife Barry, author of Social CapitalYou may have already listened to our episode on online content and social media with journalist and author Aoife Barry, and we had so much more in this chat that we just couldn’t fit in the main feed. In this bonus episode, you can hear the full, uncut interview, going more in-depth on social media pile-ons, online toxicity, content moderation and being a journalist online.Aoife is the former assistant news editor of TheJournal.ie and has written the book Social Capital, a non-fiction book that discusses life online in the shadow of Ireland’s tech...
2023-07-051h 05For Tech’s SakeThe good, the mods and the uglySocial media can connect us, divide us, entertain us and enrage us. We’d love if online spaces were made safer and better moderated to keep the nasty parts at bay, but in the end it often comes down to how we moderate ourselves, with some people understandably pulling back from their digital lives just to protect themselves.We spoke about the good, the bad and moderation of social media with journalist Aoife Barry, the author of ‘Social Capital: Life online in the shadow of Ireland’s tech boom’. This book is like a Reeling in the Year...
2023-06-2847 minFor Tech’s SakeDavid Singleton, Stripe CTOIf you already listened to our episode on how small start-ups become Big Tech behemoths and how that scaling cycle continues today, you might like to hear more from our expert guest, David Singleton, the chief technology officer at Stripe – especially if you are an entrepreneur, aspiring or otherwise, or a team leader looking for advice and guidance.Stripe is a fintech and payments company you have certainly interacted with if you have ever bought anything online, and this international tech business was founded by Ireland’s own John and Patrick Collison. David is also an Iris...
2023-06-2132 minFor Tech’s SakeBig fish, little fish, corporate shocksWe’re talking Big Tech, small start-ups and how they scale, disrupt and sometimes become one. Our special guest is Stripe CTO David Singleton, who we nabbed for an exclusive interview during his recent visit to Dublin. David has been a fintech whizz ever since he built some invoicing software for his parents when he was a kid. But before he was the technical lead of a global financial services and software company, he spent many years in engineering at Google. Google was once among the born-on-the-internet companies disrupting industry incumbents, but now it’s...
2023-06-1440 minFor Tech’s SakeDr Caroline West, sex educatorThis bonus episode from For Tech’s Sake features our complete interview with Dr Caroline West a sex educator and host of the Glow West podcast. Caroline has a master’s in sexuality studies and a PhD in feminism and pornography, and is the sex and relationship expert for Bumble Ireland and the UK. In our main episode, we talked about modern dating, cyberpsychology and sex education. In this expanded discussion you can hear about her experience with sex in virtual reality, the kind of goodie bags you get at a sex festival, and diversity in porn (which includes zombie por...
2023-06-0746 minFor Tech’s SakeLet’s talk about sex-tech, babyIf you ever wanted to hear two nerds talk to an expert about sex, you’re in luck! In this episode, we speak to Dr Caroline West, a sex educator with a master’s in sexuality studies and a PhD in feminism and pornography, and she teaches us a thing or two about sex and dating in the digital age, from digital intimacy to dick pics.For obvious reasons, this isn’t an episode we would recommend for young, innocent ears, and we also discuss issues such as sexual violence online and offline.You ca...
2023-05-3142 minFor Tech’s SakeWe’ve only just begun...It’s the last bonus episode of the season and we are letting you in on an exclusive chat on what we have in mind for season two of For Tech’s Sake, including our dream guest list (Pedro Pascal, hello!) and tech topics not yet tackled. We also reflect on the first 10 episodes and what we learned from the experience so far.For Tech’s Sake also wants to hear from you, the listener, about what you’d like to hear in season two. Be sure to let us know via fortechssakepod@gmail.com or find us @f...
2023-03-0131 minFor Tech’s SakeAn open and shut caseDo you realise how much of the tech we rely on is maintained by volunteer coders? This isn't just Wikipedia. A plethora of everyday tech would collapse if not for the noble commitment of open source developers. And they are beginning to show their force in the form of protest, sabotaging their own code to send a message to the Big Tech corporations that profit from it.We brought in Dr Colin Keogh to tell us about about open source in both software and hardware, as he helped to build out a team to design and...
2023-02-2240 minFor Tech’s SakeSorting through the rubbishWe follow up our For Tech’s Sake episode on tech waste with a closer look at what sustainability really means to tech companies, from explaining what a B Corp is to having a rant about the planned obsolescence of devices, which are designed to break down so that we just keep buying!You can also read more about B Corps here: https://www.siliconrepublic.com/business/what-is-a-b-corp-company-benefits Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-02-1522 minFor Tech’s SakeA waste of space In this episode of For Tech’s Sake, we dive into the landfill of digital waste to turn up some nuggets of information we hope you’ll re-use. Tech waste involves more than just devices getting dumped, too. We also lose the precious and finite materials these devices contain. And, though it’s not apparent to us, our digital detritus of messages, selfies and endless streams of data has a physical footprint.To understand more, we spoke to Gerry McGovern, author of World Wide Waste and host of the podcast of the same name.You c...
2023-02-081h 04For Tech’s SakeThe great singularityWe follow up our For Tech’s Sake episode on dark patterns with our musings on the copycat patterns we see across the tech we use, where every app just steals – or buys – from other apps, and then inevitably makes it worse because of advertiser demands for engagement. This is why we can't have nice things! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-02-0121 minFor Tech’s SakeHello dark patterns, my old friend‘Dark patterns’ are design techniques used to weaponise user behaviour and manipulate us into delivering on a company’s goals. They have become so common that they are even namechecked in the EU’s new legislation to clamp down on nefarious user design in tech. Even though understanding them won’t make you impervious to their influence, we certainly think it’s best to know when your taking action for your sake, or for tech’s sake.In this episode, we also spoke to Prof Owen Conlan, a research lead at Adapt, the Science Foundation Ireland research centr...
2023-01-251h 11For Tech’s SakeYou drive me lazyWe follow up our For Tech’s Sake episode on the power behind our tech, with a teardown of the electric vehicle industry and, in particular, self-driving cars. We’re not saying driverless cars will never be on the roads, but it’s not likely to happen in our lifetime what with the current tech confusing yellow moonlight with traffic lights and suffering from a comical ‘Zoolander problem’. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-01-1832 minFor Tech’s SakeMax powerWe have an energy crisis, and it's not the one you think. To move to a more sustainable future we need to figure out how to power mass electrification, and source and store energy responsibly. Scientists around the world are working on fascinating battery technologies to help, and Ireland is no exception. For example, Dr Valeria Nico is a postdoctoral research fellow in the area of energy harvesting at the Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, and she told us all about her work developing tech that can generate energy for small devices from vibrations in th...
2023-01-1137 minFor Tech’s SakeA glass case of emojisListeners, an update to the Microsoft Teams platform since the recording of this episode can only lead us to believe that Satya Nadella has bugged our podcast studio. Our prayers for a multiplicity of emoji reactions have been answered – they're still ugly though!Emojis are essential to communication across distributed workforces but – as we discuss in this episode – just because we have communication tools doesn't mean we are communicating.In this episode, we also discussed...Karen Church's emoji research at Intercom: https://www.siliconrepublic.com/enterprise/search-notifications-emoji-data-researchJenny's interview with em...
2022-12-2127 minFor Tech’s SakeWorking not-so nine-to-fiveA robot might steal your job, but it might also make it better. And some platforms make it easier to communicate remotely, while others enable micromanagers to keep tabs on you.As we enter a new era of working, Elaine Burke and Jenny Darmody want to examine how technology is used in work and how it can affect us, but also the ways in which it can help transform the way we work for the better, if only we’d allow it to do so.To find out more, we also spoke to Ja...
2022-12-1439 minFor Tech’s SakeIt’s AI-live!Sentient AI is not a thing, but why do some people believe that it is? Following our AI-focused episode of For Tech’s Sake, we look at some of the astoundingly advanced AI released recently that gives the impression computers are starting to think, create and feel, like humans. We’ve got laughing AI, text-to-art image generators, deepfake porn, voice modulators and simulated girlfriends competing for the title of The Worst in AI. (Though the winner might just be Warren from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022-12-0722 minFor Tech’s SakeAI & UClaims of sentient AI have been largely debunked by experts, but there are still plenty of unsettling aspects of this technology that raise ethical questions.In this episode of For Tech’s Sake, Abeba Birhane, an expert in AI and cognitive science, helps us to better understand this fast-spreading technology and its limitations. We find out how AI can be at best unhelpful and annoying, and at worst prejudiced, powerful and completely opaque, particularly when the building blocks it's based on contain toxic materials.Read more about Abeba Birhane, the Gender Shades project, Bl...
2022-11-301h 00For Tech’s SakeThe Elon-phant in the roomFollowing our For Tech’s Sake episode on health-tech, we decided it was time to take the temperature of the tech industry itself, as it's not doing so well lately. More specifically, we examine the disease eating away at it: tech bro-itis. Twitter is now infected with a severe dose, Elon Musk, and some are convinced the platform is on its deathbed. Jenny Darmody and Elaine Burke put him under the microscope for a closer look. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022-11-2351 minFor Tech’s SakeDoes an app a day keep the doctor away?Medical technologists are racing to fix all of our ills – even our inevitable death! But in the rush to embed technology into healthcare, are we thinking about all of the unintended consequences that may come with it? Is our health data really safe for example? Can medical devices be hacked? And how accessible will this health-tech be in the future?Listen as Elaine Burke and Jenny Darmody explore all of these questions and differentiate the needless from the necessary when it comes to technology in healthcare. To find out more, we also spoke to Ita Richardson, a...
2022-11-1645 minFor Tech’s SakeThe tech is coming from inside the houseFollowing our For Tech’s Sake episode on tech-facilitated abuse, we got chatting about the fact that while humans can be terrible, sometimes the tech itself is the problem. From glasses with hidden cameras to the tech giant that’s watching you sleep, maybe we’ve all gone a little OTT with IoT. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022-11-0917 minFor Tech’s SakeTech-facilitated abuseWhile plenty of technology has been designed to make the world a safer place, it can also introduce a whole new way to abuse and exploit others.From stalker apps to location trackers, tech has given many abusers the opportunity to track, monitor and control others. While other seemingly innocuous devices such as smart doorbells and virtual assistants can have their settings manipulated for nefarious actions.Listen as Elaine Burke and Jenny Darmody discuss how these devices work, and how they can be misused. We also spoke to Louise O’Hagan, co-founder of Cy...
2022-11-0225 minFor Tech’s SakeWhen tech goes too farFollowing our For Tech’s Sake episode on digital transformation, we got talking about the things that have just gone too far, from tractors that have become too tech-ified to be easily repairable to the monumentally annoying aspects of the modern printer. For those who want to enjoy the nerdy long-read we mention, check out “Why paper jams persist” by Joshua Rothman: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/02/12/why-paper-jams-persist Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022-10-2613 minFor Tech’s SakeDigitise, disrupt, destroyDigital transformation is a buzzword in all business right now, and some businesses are deciding to push ahead with new tech adoption without consideration for the people it will impact.While some elements of digital transformation can lead to better operations, some of it is truly tech for tech's sake, and lead to job displacement and bad service.Listen as Elaine Burke and Jenny Darmody dissect what digital transformation actually means beyond the buzzword. To find out more, we also spoke to Joan Mulvihill, the digitalisation and sustainability lead at Siemens.
2022-10-1935 minFor Tech’s SakeBillionaire space brosFollowing our For Tech’s Sake episode on space-tech, we got talking about billionaire space bros, space junk, and the commercialisation of space. Apparently, it’s not enough that we have traffic, pollution and capitalism on one planet, we’re sending it out into the universe too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022-10-1216 minFor Tech’s SakeSpace is aceIt’s been 60 years since John F Kennedy famously said, “We choose to go to the moon.” But why?Space exploration comes at the cost of billions and on the back of some stellar innovation spanning decades in development. Is it all really worth it?Listen as Elaine Burke and Jenny Darmody peer into space-tech and marvel at our fascination with whatever truths are out there. To find out more, we also spoke to Prof Tom Ray and Dr Patrick Kavanagh, two Irish scientists who worked on the James Webb Space Telescope. R...
2022-10-0549 minFor Tech’s SakeFor Tech's Sake - Coming Soon!Elaine Burke and Jenny Darmody have been writing about tech for a long time. Now they’re talking about it in For Tech’s Sake, a co-production from Silicon Republic and The Headstuff Podcast Network.Silicon Republic is a leading source of technology news and views and editors Jenny and Elaine are always learning about fascinating and infuriating new developments. They take a side-eye view of tech, not evangelising or demonising it, but definitely throwing a bit of shade when it’s deserved.Join them as they take a look under the hood of both emergi...
2022-09-2101 min