Adrian Weckler
@adrianweckler.bsky.social
Tech editor, Irish & Sunday Independent. Podcaster. Photographer. Dublin, Ireland.
Can you tell this is AI?
(A two-sentence prompt in Google’s Gemini app.)
(A two-sentence prompt in Google’s Gemini app.)
November 24, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Can you tell this is AI?
(A two-sentence prompt in Google’s Gemini app.)
(A two-sentence prompt in Google’s Gemini app.)
Not saying people stare at their phones like zombies, but there was a pretty life-changing product launch in 2007
November 23, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Not saying people stare at their phones like zombies, but there was a pretty life-changing product launch in 2007
Bjork’s 60th birthday was yesterday
November 22, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Bjork’s 60th birthday was yesterday
Sky has been accidentally overcharging some customers for at least a year — now getting refunds and credit notes ready.
(It applied price rises without telling the people affected.)
m.independent.ie/irish-news/s...
(It applied price rises without telling the people affected.)
m.independent.ie/irish-news/s...
Sky to refund Irish broadband customers it overcharged for more than a year
Sky says it has been inadvertently overcharging some customers for broadband and some “bundled” TV-and-broadband packages for more than a year.
m.independent.ie
November 22, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Sky has been accidentally overcharging some customers for at least a year — now getting refunds and credit notes ready.
(It applied price rises without telling the people affected.)
m.independent.ie/irish-news/s...
(It applied price rises without telling the people affected.)
m.independent.ie/irish-news/s...
Denis O’Brien just lost a massive defamation suit — he and James Morrissey must pay €824k in damages to two solicitors for the following phrase:
“Sinn Féin/IRA certainly got the report they paid for.”
www.independent.ie/irish-news/c...
“Sinn Féin/IRA certainly got the report they paid for.”
www.independent.ie/irish-news/c...
Denis O'Brien and spokesman James Morrissey must pay two solicitors €411,750 each in one of biggest defamation payouts ever
Businessman Denis O’Brien defamed two lawyers in a 2016 press release that implied they acted for the IRA, a High Court jury has found.
www.independent.ie
November 21, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Denis O’Brien just lost a massive defamation suit — he and James Morrissey must pay €824k in damages to two solicitors for the following phrase:
“Sinn Féin/IRA certainly got the report they paid for.”
www.independent.ie/irish-news/c...
“Sinn Féin/IRA certainly got the report they paid for.”
www.independent.ie/irish-news/c...
Big one for phones — you can now ‘Airdrop’ (‘Quick Share’) instantly between iPhones and some Androids.
Neither Apple nor Google admits it, but this is likely the result of the EU’s much-slagged DMA regulation, requiring more common standards from tech giants.
Neither Apple nor Google admits it, but this is likely the result of the EU’s much-slagged DMA regulation, requiring more common standards from tech giants.
November 21, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Big one for phones — you can now ‘Airdrop’ (‘Quick Share’) instantly between iPhones and some Androids.
Neither Apple nor Google admits it, but this is likely the result of the EU’s much-slagged DMA regulation, requiring more common standards from tech giants.
Neither Apple nor Google admits it, but this is likely the result of the EU’s much-slagged DMA regulation, requiring more common standards from tech giants.
Can you refuse to work another day in the office?
Many doing ‘hybrid’ since Covid; 2-3 days in the office, rest at home.
But now companies are asking for a minimum of three days in office, sometimes more. Can you refuse?
(Often you can’t.)
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
Many doing ‘hybrid’ since Covid; 2-3 days in the office, rest at home.
But now companies are asking for a minimum of three days in office, sometimes more. Can you refuse?
(Often you can’t.)
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
Ask Adrian: Can I say no to an extra day in the office?
Question
m.independent.ie
November 21, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Can you refuse to work another day in the office?
Many doing ‘hybrid’ since Covid; 2-3 days in the office, rest at home.
But now companies are asking for a minimum of three days in office, sometimes more. Can you refuse?
(Often you can’t.)
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
Many doing ‘hybrid’ since Covid; 2-3 days in the office, rest at home.
But now companies are asking for a minimum of three days in office, sometimes more. Can you refuse?
(Often you can’t.)
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
EU will now delay AI Act, bowing to business and big tech pressure.
So companies can more easily use AI to hire job candidates or decide who gets a loan, or who gets to be insured, at least until 2027.
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
So companies can more easily use AI to hire job candidates or decide who gets a loan, or who gets to be insured, at least until 2027.
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
Adrian Weckler: EU bows to pressure from US and Big Tech on AI and GDPR
Is the EU caving to the US and businesses on AI and privacy?
m.independent.ie
November 21, 2025 at 8:30 AM
EU will now delay AI Act, bowing to business and big tech pressure.
So companies can more easily use AI to hire job candidates or decide who gets a loan, or who gets to be insured, at least until 2027.
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
So companies can more easily use AI to hire job candidates or decide who gets a loan, or who gets to be insured, at least until 2027.
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
AI and jobs:
Employment of computer programmers in Ireland is down 14% — new official figures
m.independent.ie/business/une...
Employment of computer programmers in Ireland is down 14% — new official figures
m.independent.ie/business/une...
November 20, 2025 at 10:07 PM
AI and jobs:
Employment of computer programmers in Ireland is down 14% — new official figures
m.independent.ie/business/une...
Employment of computer programmers in Ireland is down 14% — new official figures
m.independent.ie/business/une...
As someone who uses an iPad Pro (13-inch, M1, 2021, 1TB, Magic Keyboard) for almost everything at work and non-work, the new M5 model doesn’t have enough for an upgrade.
But someone new to the Pro, eg a basic iPad user, would be blown away by it.
Review: www.independent.ie/business/tec...
But someone new to the Pro, eg a basic iPad user, would be blown away by it.
Review: www.independent.ie/business/tec...
November 20, 2025 at 12:03 PM
As someone who uses an iPad Pro (13-inch, M1, 2021, 1TB, Magic Keyboard) for almost everything at work and non-work, the new M5 model doesn’t have enough for an upgrade.
But someone new to the Pro, eg a basic iPad user, would be blown away by it.
Review: www.independent.ie/business/tec...
But someone new to the Pro, eg a basic iPad user, would be blown away by it.
Review: www.independent.ie/business/tec...
When they’re gone, they’re gone
November 20, 2025 at 10:31 AM
When they’re gone, they’re gone
Ireland’s continued objection to nuclear power generation is an act of self-harm, infrastructurally and economically
- says today’s podcast guest, from the Irish Academy of Engineering
30-mins of clarity on it
(Big Tech Show podcast, usual platforms)
m.independent.ie/podcasts/the...
- says today’s podcast guest, from the Irish Academy of Engineering
30-mins of clarity on it
(Big Tech Show podcast, usual platforms)
m.independent.ie/podcasts/the...
The Big Tech Show: It’s time to go nuclear in Ireland
Is Ireland looking at nuclear energy? Why do we need it? And how safe is it?
m.independent.ie
November 20, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Ireland’s continued objection to nuclear power generation is an act of self-harm, infrastructurally and economically
- says today’s podcast guest, from the Irish Academy of Engineering
30-mins of clarity on it
(Big Tech Show podcast, usual platforms)
m.independent.ie/podcasts/the...
- says today’s podcast guest, from the Irish Academy of Engineering
30-mins of clarity on it
(Big Tech Show podcast, usual platforms)
m.independent.ie/podcasts/the...
Trinity College Dublin gets first charitable donation of crypto ($25k in stablecoins from Aave) for an Irish university.
Ireland now the centre of stablecoins activity for biggest ‘lender’, which just got a Central Bank licence
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
Ireland now the centre of stablecoins activity for biggest ‘lender’, which just got a Central Bank licence
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
Why stablecoins will be bigger than crypto, with Ireland as a prime experiment
According to the European Central Bank, so-called ‘stablecoins’ will grow in value from €200bn in 2025 to almost €2tn by the end of 2028.
m.independent.ie
November 20, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Trinity College Dublin gets first charitable donation of crypto ($25k in stablecoins from Aave) for an Irish university.
Ireland now the centre of stablecoins activity for biggest ‘lender’, which just got a Central Bank licence
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
Ireland now the centre of stablecoins activity for biggest ‘lender’, which just got a Central Bank licence
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
Two thirds of Irish office workers now use AI at work (though just 14% daily).
With the releases of Gemini 3 and GPT 5, this is likely to rise again
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
With the releases of Gemini 3 and GPT 5, this is likely to rise again
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
Two thirds of Irish employees use AI tools at work with Gen Z leading switch, new survey finds
Two thirds of Irish employees are using AI at work, according to a new Ipsos B&A survey taken among 1,039 people.
m.independent.ie
November 20, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Two thirds of Irish office workers now use AI at work (though just 14% daily).
With the releases of Gemini 3 and GPT 5, this is likely to rise again
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
With the releases of Gemini 3 and GPT 5, this is likely to rise again
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
What’s the oddest ‘Black Friday’ offer you’ve seen?
November 19, 2025 at 12:11 PM
What’s the oddest ‘Black Friday’ offer you’ve seen?
AI is making us into morons and subverting democracy, Ireland’s parliamentary (Oireachtas) Committee heard today.
Full story: www.independent.ie/business/tec...
Full story: www.independent.ie/business/tec...
November 18, 2025 at 5:14 PM
AI is making us into morons and subverting democracy, Ireland’s parliamentary (Oireachtas) Committee heard today.
Full story: www.independent.ie/business/tec...
Full story: www.independent.ie/business/tec...
(Bluesky sees surge)
Latest on the major internet outage currently underway, courtesy of a Cloudflare issue
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
Latest mass internet outage at Cloudflare knocks out X and other web services
Parts of the internet are currently unresponsive to millions of users after the online infrastructure host firm Cloudflare reported an outage.
www.independent.ie
November 18, 2025 at 1:02 PM
(Bluesky sees surge)
Latest on the major internet outage currently underway, courtesy of a Cloudflare issue
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
Latest mass internet outage at Cloudflare knocks out X and other web services
Parts of the internet are currently unresponsive to millions of users after the online infrastructure host firm Cloudflare reported an outage.
www.independent.ie
November 18, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Latest on the major internet outage currently underway, courtesy of a Cloudflare issue
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
Ireland’s energy planning is now so bad that it should seriously consider small nuclear reactors, says Irish Academy of Engineering.
Describes current strategy as “divorced from reality”.
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
Describes current strategy as “divorced from reality”.
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
Ireland should consider small nuclear reactors as current energy strategy is “divorced from reality” — Irish Engineering Academy
Ireland should “commence preparation” for nuclear energy planning and consider constructing small nuclear reactors to provide for energy security, the Irish Academy of Engineering has recommended.
m.independent.ie
November 17, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Ireland’s energy planning is now so bad that it should seriously consider small nuclear reactors, says Irish Academy of Engineering.
Describes current strategy as “divorced from reality”.
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
Describes current strategy as “divorced from reality”.
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
Troy Parrott.
“I love where I’m from… This is the first time I’ve cried in years.”
“I love where I’m from… This is the first time I’ve cried in years.”
November 16, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Troy Parrott.
“I love where I’m from… This is the first time I’ve cried in years.”
“I love where I’m from… This is the first time I’ve cried in years.”
24 years ago, the iPod was born.
I thought it was the greatest thing ever. But it was also the start of too much choice.
The ‘unlimited everything’ nature of modern life has semi-ruined art enjoyment. Music, movies, other things.
I wrote about this:
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
I thought it was the greatest thing ever. But it was also the start of too much choice.
The ‘unlimited everything’ nature of modern life has semi-ruined art enjoyment. Music, movies, other things.
I wrote about this:
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
November 15, 2025 at 4:29 PM
24 years ago, the iPod was born.
I thought it was the greatest thing ever. But it was also the start of too much choice.
The ‘unlimited everything’ nature of modern life has semi-ruined art enjoyment. Music, movies, other things.
I wrote about this:
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
I thought it was the greatest thing ever. But it was also the start of too much choice.
The ‘unlimited everything’ nature of modern life has semi-ruined art enjoyment. Music, movies, other things.
I wrote about this:
m.independent.ie/business/tec...