Taking Stock

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May 3, 2024 • 51min

AI & Geopolitics, Trump in the dock, and new UK Brexit checks

In the US there's a split-screen election underway with Donald Trump in the dock and President Biden doing his best to tell everyone about it. Lauren Fedor of the Financial Times brings us the latest from the US election campaign.New checks on imports into the UK on Agri and food products were introduced this week. Mandy finds out how they went down with businesses and what it might mean for the consumer.And we dive into the ever-evolving landscape of AI in business & politics, and the efforts of countries vying for control and regulation of this transformative sector. Mark Kelly, Chief Customer Officer at Alldus, founder of AI Ireland, and the author of 'AI Unleashed' joins Mandy to discuss.
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Apr 26, 2024 • 45min

Is Customer Service Dead in the Age of AI?

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston delves into the world of Customer Service when she talks to the Consumer Editor with the FT Claer Barrett about the role of ‘Bots’ and AI when trying to contact companies.As Liz Truss's new book sparks controversy Mandy talk to Ian Dale of LBC Radio about her tenure and memoir.And, as the Government unveils its economic projections, Economist Dan O’Brien offers his insights on their fiscal strategy.
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Apr 19, 2024 • 52min

The Magnificent 7 and AI.

The seven most valuable companies are not only linked by their financial success they are linked by Artificial Intelligence and this week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston looks at the “magnificent seven”; who they are, how much are they valued at, and are they unstoppable in terms of their economic success? Mandy is joined by Karl Schmedders, Professor of Finance at IMD Business School in Zurich. It’s part of our new slot called ‘Tech Scape’ with thanks to PWC.At the other end of all that technology is of course the ‘smartphone’. Mandy discusses the pressing topic highlighted in Professor Jonathan Haidt's new book “the anxious generation”. He argues that smartphones and social media are at the core of a mental health crisis affecting young people and calls for urgent action to be taken.  Mandy talks to Ollwyn Moran, Neuro Developmental Therapist & Founder of COGNI Kids.Plus Mandy is joined by author Daniel Susskind who has just published a magnificent history of economic growth and tells Mandy about the concept of infinite growth on a finite planet. 
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Apr 12, 2024 • 48min

The True Costs of Irish Unity.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Jonston explores the great American transport question when she looks at everything from the Baltimore bridge collapse and the chaos at Boeing and asks are these seemingly isolated incidents indicative of a broader dysfunction? Mandy talks to Rana Foroohar a Global Business Columnist and Associate Editor of the Financial Times. Mandy talks to Kathleen Gallagher of the Business Post about 'Reits' - or Real Estate Investment Trusts - to see if they could provide a solution in the future to funding more building here in Ireland. Plus. what would the real cost of Irish Re-Unification really look like? Mandy talks to Professor Edgar Morgenroth of DCU.
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Apr 5, 2024 • 46min

Most memorable cabinet reshuffle missteps

This week on Taking Stock:As Simon Harris prepares to take over at the helm of Government, he’s faced with the tricky task of rearranging his Cabinet - Mandy is joined by John Downing, Political Columnist with the Irish Independent & former government press officer with the Green Party as well as Gerard Howlin, Public affairs consultant, political commentator and former senior government adviser to look back at some of the leaders who have got it wrong in the past.Following the announcement that Boeing CEO, Dave Calhoun will be stepping down by the end of the year, Zach Wichter, Travel reporter and 'Cruising Altitude' columnist with USA Today joins Mandy to discuss the iconic American manufacturer and how it can recover following a succession of safety issues and concerns around its quality control protocols.The US & UK have set out a deal to pool technical knowledge, information, and talent on AI safety in a landmark agreement - Mandy speaks with Leigh McGowran of Silicon Republic to discuss what it means and if the Irish Government is doing anything to plan for a new age of AI technology.
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Mar 29, 2024 • 47min

The Eyes of the World Turn Towards Taiwan.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston talk to Josh Glancy of the Sunday Times about a recent trip to Taiwan and why it may be the place that reshapes the modern world. What Government needs to do for Tourism; Mandy talks to Eoghan O'Mara Walsh of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation and Economist Jim Power about the state of the Hospitality Sector. Plus for the weekend that it is Mandy is joined by Susannah Savage the Commodities Correspondent of the Financial Times to look at the rapidly growing price of Cocoa and what it may mean for your favourite Chocolate Egg.
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Mar 22, 2024 • 50min

Who Is Ursula von der Leyen?

She’s arguably one of the most powerful women on the planet, this week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston looks at Ursula von der Leyen's life, leadership and her bid for another term as President of the EU Commission. Suzanne Lynch of Politico joins Mandy to give us a profile.Across the water Rishi Sunak started the week with a warning shot across the bows of his party. But will he last long enough to pull the plug himself? Mark Paul of the Irish Times tells us what's going on in the Tory Party.Plus we venture into the boardroom and look at the curious phenomenon of why so few individuals hold directorships in multiple companies here in Ireland when Mandy talks to Kathleen Gallagher of the Business Post.
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Mar 21, 2024 • 45min

The Irish Musicians, Movies and Attractions That Have Made the Most Money.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston has something a little different when she takes a look at the Irish Music, Movie Makers and Visitor Attractions that have proved the most lucrative. She has assembled a crack team of Newstalkers!
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Mar 15, 2024 • 45min

The Irish Musicians, Movies and Attractions That Have Made the Most Money.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston has something a little different when she takes a look at the Irish Music, Movie Makers and Visitor Attractions that have proved the most lucrative. She has assembled a crack team of Newstalkers!
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Mar 8, 2024 • 44min

Taxing Times for Influencers.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston talks to Stephen O'Leary of Olytico and Mark Corcoran of Taxback about how the Revenue Commissioners are starting to turn their attention to social media influencers.  Mandy delves into the Russian security services' use of poisoning with Financial Times special correspondent Courtney Weaver.Plus Joshua Oliver discusses his latest book, 'The Hype Machine; The Ultimate Guide to the Crypto Boom and Bust."

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