The Irish Tech News Podcast

🌟 New episode alert! One Vision — FinTech Fuse is back with a power-packed conversation with Jody Bhagat, North America President at Engine by Starling. We talk about the critical role of technology in transforming banking operations and delivering exceptional customer experiences. Whether you're grappling with legacy systems or eyeing the cutting-edge of AI, Jody's insights offer valuable guidance on modernization strategies and the transformative potential of technology. Check out this engaging discussion to learn how this dynamic industry can be both vital and cool! 

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:39 Understanding Engine by Starling
04:43 Challenges and Opportunities in the US Market
06:13 The Importance of Modern Technology in Banking
13:58 AI and Its Impact on Banking
21:38 Strategies for Bank Transformation
26:31 Looking Ahead: The Future of Banking
29:46 Conclusion and Farewell

📍 Hot take: Most banks and credit unions are spending 70 to 80% of their IT spend just on maintaining their legacy core, and it's providing little or no differentiation.
#DigitalTransformation #AI #FinTech 

Find Jody Bhagat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/digitalbusinessgrower/ 
Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 
🔗 Theo’s latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 
🔗 About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/

ServiceNow is one of the world’s biggest SaaS and digital transformation companies is ServiceNow. When their Chief Experience Officer Amy Lokey was recently in Dublin, I caught up with her to find about what her job entails and how AI is being used by ServiceNow.
Amy talks about customers user experience, how ServiceNow has embraced AI, how AI has influenced how ServiceNow use CRM’s and more.
More about ServiceNow:
ServiceNow helps organisations connect AI, data, and workflows on one platform. Work works better for everyone across every corner of the business. 
Their AI platform delivers apps that predict issues, automate processes, and make time for people-powered innovation.

International Rose of Tralee and apprentice electrical engineer Katelyn Cummins has been announced as one of the first headline speakers for I Wish 2026, as the organisation continues to showcase applied STEM at its re-imagined I Wish Festival, taking place on 5 February 2026 at the RDS Dublin. To find out more about I Wish, I spoke to Caroline O’Driscoll, Co-Founder of I Wish.
Caroline talks about background, what I Wish does, stem and more.
More about I Wish:
As technologies such as artificial intelligence continue to reshape design, builds and innovation, the 12th annual I Wish will place a strong emphasis on applied STEM skills and future-ready career pathways for females. This includes a new dedicated Construction Zone, delivered in partnership with the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). The zone will provide hands-on demonstrations; insight into apprenticeships and engineering pathways; and direct engagement with women working across this evolving sector.

Almost 4,000 female teenage students from across the island of Ireland will attend the 12th annual I Wish Festival for an immersive, experience-led programme designed to build confidence, curiosity and awareness of real-world STEM careers. Registration is still open at iwish.ie/tickets.

🚀New Episode Alert! 
🎙️Dive into the world of FinTech with our latest episode of One Vision — the FinTech Fuse. Join Theo and our guest Alex Jimenez, the OG of FinTech OG, as they explore the major themes for 2026 from innovation to governance, as AI and M&A take center stage. Explore how money movement might become ‘invisible’. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of AI, digital transformation, and the evolving landscape of the banking industry.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:51 Reflecting on 2025: Key FinTech Trends
03:22 AI in FinTech: Current State and Future Prospects
04:09 Challenges and Considerations in AI Implementation
13:27 The Evolution of Banking Industry
23:34 Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond

📍 Hot take: “When you start thinking about the daily experience of digital banking for retail customers … the next wave is conversational.”

#AI #FinTech #DigitalTransformation #BankingOnAI #BankingIndustry 

Find Alex Jimenez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralexjimenez/ 
Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 

🔗 Theo’s latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 
🔗 About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/

The tech skills gap is ever worsening in Ireland, with even large firms struggling to compete with multinationals to snaffle the best professionals. One person who knows all about this is Gillian Whelan, Managing Director and Country Manager of Emagine Ireland.
Gillian has tackled the challenge of accessing specialised tech skills with a model she calls ‘Bestshoring’,  bringing together bespoke, global teams for each project, using the best people from the right locations, at the right cost. In other words, building a custom ‘Avengers dream team’ of global experts. I recently caught up with Gillian.
Gillian talks about her background, fixing Ireland’s devastating tech skills gap, the need for security by design and more.
More about Gillian Whelan:
Since joining Aspira in 2017 as a Senior Executive, Gillian has made a significant impact on the business, progressing to head up the very successful Project Management Training Practice within the company.
She was subsequently promoted to Chief Commercial Officer in late 2021 and became the natural choice for the leading role, as the consultancy evolves and grows through its strategic partnership with Emagine. Gillian then took over from former Ireland MD Peter Ryan.