The Irish Tech News Podcast

With a record number of companies vying for US bank charters, it’s crucial to understand the driving forces behind this surge. The regulatory environment is more welcoming than ever, allowing fintechs to innovate and meet the needs of consumers who feel underserved by traditional banks.  But it's not just about quantity; it’s about quality. In a saturated market, how can these new entrants provide real value that stands out? It's all about solving real problems and creating unique offerings that resonate with consumers. Keep an eye on companies that understand the nuances of the market and can adapt their strategies. What’s your take? Tune in and hear the take from Tiffani Montez and David Penn, in the latest episode of One Vision Podcast, hosted by Theodora Lau.00:00 Underserved Banking Opportunity14:44 Life Stage Subscriptions15:54 Niche Neobanks Strategy16:28 Who Will Win18:21 Incumbents Reaction20:09 Pressure To Modernize21:25 Rethinking Bank Models22:33 Trust And Charters24:36 Next 12 Months OutlookHot take: “We don’t need more banks. We need better banks.” Tiffani MontezHot take: “The sky is getting darker.” David PennKeywords: Fintech, Financial Inclusion, Neobank, Open Banking #Fintech #neobank #AI #Financialinclusion More about our guests 🌐Tiffani Montez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffani-montez-b794283/ 🌐David Penn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-penn-25431313/ More about our host and One Vision Podcast 🌐Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 🌐Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence (book): https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 🌐Unconventional Ventures (company): https://www.unconventionalventures.com/ 🌐Listen to all One Vision Podcast episodes by visiting: https://shows.acast.com/one-vision **

Back in 2020 I had John Brady CEO and Co-Founder of Bowsy on the Irish Tech News podcast. John had just launched Bowsy during Covid and since then Bowsy has grown and are launching a new service powered by AI. John is back on the podcast to talk about what’s happened since we last spoke and the new AI powered service launching in April.. John talks about apprenticeships, careers advice,  remote working, AI, more women in stem and more.More about Bowsy:Bowsy is an AI-powered talent assessment and early careers platform that helps organisations identify, assess and recruit high-potential talent more effectively. Our platform combines AI-driven profiling with real-world project assessments to improve hiring decisions across graduate recruitment, early careers programmes and specialised workforce assessments such as driver capability.based on real-world business challenges.Bowsy helps organisations move beyond traditional CV screening and recruitment channels by providing a data-driven approach to identifying candidate potential, motivation and role fit.

In this episode, Theodora Lau interviews Jennifer White, Senior Director, Global Banking & Payments Intelligence at J.D. Power, about consumer behavior, financial resilience, AI in finance, and future trends. They explore how consumers are navigating financial challenges and the affordability crisis, against the backdrop of “an era of resilience” — with two-thirds of Americans being financially unhealthy. They also discuss AI's role in financial literacy, MrBeast’s move into fintech, why Chime is leading new account acquisition, and implications for existing players.Looking to understand the current and future landscape of consumer finance? Hint: Fundamentals in customer experience are more important than ever. 00:00 Welcome Back Jennifer01:24 Consumer Resilience Snapshot06:26 Holiday Reality Check16:21 MrBeast Meets Fintech23:46 Chime and New Account Churn28:41 Consumer Trust and AI Tools41:31 Back to Service FundamentalsHot take: "Basics of customer experience still matter."Keywords: AI, fintech, Buy Now Pay Later, Trust, MrBeast, Chime, Financial Resilience, Financial Literacy, Fraud, Affordability More about our guest 🌐Jennifer White on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-white-57257424/  More about our host and One Vision Podcast 🌐Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 🌐Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence (book): https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 🌐Unconventional Ventures (company): https://www.unconventionalventures.com/ 🌐Listen to all One Vision Podcast episodes by visiting: https://shows.acast.com/one-vision

The Irish Tech News Podcast is now 10 years old ,and over the years we have covered a wide variety of tech topics over 1700 episodes. To celebrate this milestone I have a very special guest, Alexia Cambon appearing on the podcast. Alexia, is a senior director of research at Microsoft and I caught up with her at the recent Microsoft AI Summit in Dublin.Alexia talks about her background, AI in the work place, intelligence work, writing for AI, copilot, and more.More about Alexia Cambon:Alexia leads research for the Future of Work & M365 team as a Senior Director at Microsoft, working to identify emerging research opportunities and delving into customers’ most pressing workforce challenges. She co-leads Microsoft’s cross-company research initiative examining AI’s impact on productivity and performance, and is a seasoned presenter and speaker with a passion for storytelling and creative thinking. Alexia's areas of focus include AI, hybrid work design, and organisational culture. She has written for HBR and The Guardian, and has been featured in NPR, Forbes and The Times (UK).

In this new episode One Vision podcast, Theodora Lau welcomes back Christopher Mims, Technology Columnist for the Wall Street Journal, to discuss his 2026 book “How to AI,” a practical guide aimed at the 90% who aren’t early adopters. They discuss the book’s “24 Laws of AI”, the evolving role of AI in the workplace, and how to prepare for the new future (without the hype). Who will win the AI race? And what might Christopher be writing about next year? Stay till the end of the conversation for the hint … and it is not what you’d expect! You can order a copy of Mims’ new book, “How to AI”, on bookshop.org and Amazon. And you can find my recent review of the book here on LinkedIn. #AI #FutureOfWork #Agents #Automation 00:00 Welcome 01:46 Why This AI Book04:13 Durable AI Principles06:22 Competition between Firms08:58 Agents as Assembly Robots14:43 Trust and Delegation Lines16:37 Kaizen and How the Principle Applies24:05 Key TakeawaysHot take: “ We're in this early DIY phase of AI.”Hot take: “It's just as important to figure out what AI can't do for you as it is to figure out what it can do … The opportunity cost for pursuing AI for the wrong types of tasks is bigger than ever.” Keywords AI, generative AI, future of work, automation, trustMore about our guest Christopher Mims is a tech columnist for the Wall Street Journal, where he covers AI, technology, and their implications on society. His latest book, "How to AI," breaks down complex concepts into actionable insights, making AI accessible to everyone. Mims has interviewed experts across various fields, providing a comprehensive view of how AI is being integrated into different sectors.🌐Christopher Mims on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-mims-club/ 🌐How to AI (book): https://a.co/d/079cJso1 More about our host and One Vision Podcast 🌐Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 🌐Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence (book): https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 🌐Unconventional Ventures (company): https://www.unconventionalventures.com/ 🌐Listen to all One Vision Podcast episodes by visiting: https://shows.acast.com/one-vision 

Are we moving too fast in the world of agentic commerce — a new paradigm in online shopping where AI agents act on behalf of consumers, facilitating transactions and product discovery? Unlike traditional e-commerce, where consumers interact directly with platforms, agentic commerce leverages advanced technologies to streamline the purchasing process.In this episode of One Vision — FinTech Fuse, we dive deep into the rapidly shifting landscape of agentic commerce and the alphabet soup. With the technology landscape changing at an unprecedented pace, we explore the challenges and opportunities that arise in the new world.Joining us in the discussion are industry experts, Dr. Efi Pylarinou and Jas Shah, who offer their insights on the rise of different protocols like ACP and UCP, identity verification, and the importance of a level-playing field in the future of commerce.What’s your take on this fast-paced evolution? Let’s keep the conversation going!#FinTech #AI #AgenticCommerce #AIAgents00:00 Welcome and Setup: The Agentic Commerce Alphabet Soup02:53 The Reality: Are We Moving Too Fast?07:35 Who Writes The Rules? 10:03 Which Protocol Will Win?16:20 Staying Visible: Banks Brand in Bot Era21:04 Trust Data and Curation25:44 The Economics and Gatekeepers33:57 Predictions: Who Will Emerge as The Likely Winner41:56 What Banks Should Do NextHot take: The real battle is about protocols, not models.Hot take: The future belongs to those who can optimize for AI.Keywords AI, agentic AI, commerce protocols, fintech, banking, digital transformation, identity, trust, UCP, ACPMore about our guests 🌐Dr. Efi Pylarinou on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/efipylarinou/ 🌐Jas Shah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jas-shah/ More about our host and One Vision Podcast 🌐Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 🌐Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence (book): https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 🌐Unconventional Ventures (company): https://www.unconventionalventures.com/ 🌐Listen to all One Vision Podcast episodes by visiting: https://shows.acast.com/one-vision

Alan Jones is a serial entrepreneur who has been on the Irish Tech News twice before. He is now involved with Mascotte.AI as their Strategic Executive Partner. Mascotte.AI are building the next interface for human-AI interaction. To find out more about this I caught up with Alan and Mao Lao Lin the founder and CEO of Mascotte.AI.Alan and Mao talk about their backgrounds, what Mascotte.AI does, AI companions, AI ethics, holo boxes and more.More about Moscotte.AI:Mascotte.AI was born out of a simple observation: The most critical business skills are the hardest to practice. For years, their team at Reblika built the world's most sophisticated digital humans for global icons like LVMH, Adidas, and David Guetta. They mastered the art of "High-Fidelity Identity."  and they realised that photorealism shouldn't just be for fashion and entertainment, it should be for growth.They saw sales teams stumbling through high-stakes negotiations, healthcare providers struggling with bedside manner, and managers dreading difficult conversations. They were all practicing on the one thing they couldn't afford to lose: their people.So, Mascotte.AI was built.

In this episode of One Vision, Theodora Lau hosts Angi Milano, Founder and CEO of Maven Advisory, about her diverse career journey in financial services. They discuss the challenges and rewards of embracing independence, the importance of saying 'no', as well as the complexities and the art of selling in regulated industries. Angi shares insights on current trends in fintech, emphasizing the need for relationship building and community engagement as the industry evolves.Hot take: “… power of no and knowing when your limits really are hit and you have to turn somebody down is a powerful lesson that I wish I had learned.”Hot take: “In sales, if you are not thinking ahead, you’re falling behind.” 00:00 Welcome and Introductions01:04 Angi’s Career Pivot 05:39 Betting on Yourself10:17 The Power of Saying No13:24 The Art of Selling21:12 Trends for 202625:18 Slow Down and Recharge27:46 Magic Wand WishMore about our guest 🌐Angi Milano on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angimilano/ More about our host and One Vision Podcast 🌐Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 🌐Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence (book): https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 🌐Unconventional Ventures (company): https://www.unconventionalventures.com/ 🌐Listen to all One Vision Podcast episodes by visiting: https://shows.acast.com/one-vision #Fintech #BankingIndustry #Community #Empathy

SME’s face various challenges when adopting digital tools in Ireland, which is why empowering SMEs with accessible technology is critical to economic growth. A fast and  simple ERP can redefine the market dynamics for small business success and one man who knows all-out this is Morgan Browne founder and CEO  of Enterpryze. I recently caught up with Morgan to find out more.Morgan talks about his background, cloud erp solution, AI  and more.More about Morgan Browne:Morgan Browne is the Founder and CEO of Enterpryze and is a highly regarded member of SAP’s Global Partner Executive Council and was a finalist in the EY (Entrepreneur of the Year Awards) in 2015.He spent a year studying Computer Science at the Institute of Technology Tallaght before catching the entrepreneurial bug. An avid businessman and technology enthusiast, Morgan Browne is passionate about helping SMEs succeed financially, and empowering them to achieve their full potential.With this in mind, Morgan purchased Milner Browne 10 years ago and developed it from a reseller business into a solutions company using SAP technology as a key platform provider.The Milner Browne Group develops business management software to help SMEs work smarter and more effectively, Milner Browne is a Deloitte best managed companies platinum member and a fast 50 finalist.In 2017, Morgan officially launched Enterpryze, the world’s first mobile-first solution for SAP Business One.

In this episode of One Vision — FinTech Fuse podcast, Theodora Lau and Jas Randhawa discuss the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) and implications for agentic commerce. They explore the challenges of chargebacks, the need for regulatory clarity, and the importance of consumer independence in the evolving landscape of e-commerce. While adoption is likely to grow, major risks include consumer manipulation, monopolistic outcomes, and the amount of personal data agents may require (buying, browsing, health, and other patterns), increasing privacy and security concerns. Now is the time to engage with policymakers and advocate for regulatory clarity and for the well-being of consumers. 00:00 Welcome Back to One Vision + Introducing Jas Randhawa (StrategyBRIX)01:10 What Is the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP)? The Big Picture03:27 How UCP Works: Product Cataloging for AI Shopping Agents07:05 KYA (Know Your Agent): Identity, Authorization & Trust08:58 Chargebacks in Agentic Commerce: Who’s Liable When Things Go Wrong?12:02 Fraud Detection Breaks: Geolocation, New Signals & Re-Engineering Controls13:44 Agent Independence & Consumer Protection: Bias, Collusion, and Oversight Gaps21:28 Regulatory Clarity (or Lack Thereof): The ‘Wild West’ Phase + T&Cs Reality28:06 Time to Get Ready: Travel Use Cases, Audit Trails, and Dispute Proof33:26 Sanctions, VPNs, and High-Velocity Agent Behavior: Financial Crime Risks37:12 Are We Too Early? Will Consumers Adopt—and at What Cost?42:59 Privacy, Data Control & The Need for Neutral Standards Bodies (Wrap-Up)47:45 Final Thoughts#AI #AgenticCommerce #UCP #Agents #Fintech Hot take:  ”The amount of information this agent now needs to have about me is shocking and it scares me a little bit because you're talking about buying patterns, browsing patterns, sleeping patterns, health pattern. For this agent to be really effective, it just needs to know everything that's in my head, right? It's gonna be very effective, but that's again, a major risk because no one's watching out for the consumer.”Hot take: “ The future of this world is unfortunately not you or me. It's a lot of these younger kids, their ecosystem is a lot different. These products are being designed for them."More about our guest 🌐Jas Randhawa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randhawajas/ More about our host and One Vision Podcast 🌐Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 🌐Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence (book): https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 🌐Unconventional Ventures (company): https://www.unconventionalventures.com/ 🌐Listen to all One Vision Podcast episodes by visiting: https://shows.acast.com/one-vision **