Episode notes
This week, Kelly and Elaine are talking about the emergence of the ‘AI shelf’, where products are marketed specifically at large language models (LLMs) so that they are recommended by chatbots and even purchased by automated ‘agents’. And their question is: Can you trust automated purchase decisions in a broken content ecosystem? *** Good things we recommend *** >> Learn more about AI manipulation tactics from ‘the Sophie Morris of chatbots’, WetClaude (AKA Deana Burke), on TikTok and Instagram >> And check our her newsletter >> Celebrate ICCL’s recent win against Big Tech >> Listen back to…
Podcast
For Tech’s Sake
Elaine Burke & Kelly Earley · Tech & Science · English
Join Elaine Burke and Kelly Earley for a weekly edition of the people’s tech podcast, where they demystify the news and help you decode your digital life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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S5 · E20 · 8 Oct 2026 · 46 min
What have data centres ever done for us? (with Patrick Bresnihan and Patrick Brodie)
Are data centres central to the Irish economy? Or is that just some inflated bluster from the government on behalf of Big Tech? A recent report from Maynooth University has debunked some of the government’s claims around the benefits we reap from being Europe’s data centre dumping ground, so we asked two of its co-authors, Patrick Bresnihan and Patrick Brodie, to talk to us about Ireland’s data centre dependency, and the motivating factors behind it. *** Good things we recommend *** >> Read the report , How We All Pay for Big Tech: The social, economic, and environmental costs costs of data…
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S5 · E18 · 24 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 11 min
AI’s doomer cult
This week we dust off our corkboard and thread to connect the dots between problematic Silicon Valley ideologies and the doomsday AI talking points that have been gripping the world of late. Yes, this explanation of a cult-like culture that has infiltrated the highest echelons of business and government is going to sound like a conspiracy theory, but bear with us as we unpack the history of ‘superintelligence’ fantasies (and nightmares) in this bumper episode, revealing how every scary story about AI lately stems from known issues and very human failings. *** Good things we recommend *** >>…
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S5 · E17 · 17 Sep 2026 · 42 min
Game over for discs
With the impending release of GTA VI looming large over the video games industry, Kelly and Elaine discuss how the trend towards disc-less gaming represents a loss of consumer power and ownership for gamers. But good gaming is not out of lives just yet and an unlikely Steam-powered hero might level up and save the day. *** Good things we recommend *** >> This clip of ‘Lara Croft’ on The Late Late Toy Show >> The Steam Machine , though Kelly’s full review will follow later >> Seán Mongey’s people-friendly Culture Night guide >> Becoming an Apartheid Free Zone *** More from us *** Kelly’s…
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S5 · E16 · 10 Sep 2026 · 42 min
Back to school!
We’re back, and the kids are back in school, so we are packing your lunchbox with some food for thought on tech in schools. We’re weighing up screen-free childhoods, debunking the myth of ‘digital natives’, doling out advice on image-sharing, and considering the benefits of teaching kids piracy. (Well, it worked for us!) *** Good things we recommend *** >> Check in with your own device usage (and maybe pick up a copy of Unlocked by Pete Etchells instead of reaching for the phone) >> Watch the trailer for You Can See Everything (Nathan Fielder’s new documentary about Elizabeth Holmes) >> Take…
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S5 · E15 · 18 Jun 2026 · 43 min
What social media bans get wrong
The UK’s upcoming social media ban for under 16s has been labelled an insufficient “political band-aid” that prioritises business as usual over online safety, and creates a “false sense of safety” for parents. Kelly and Elaine discuss the reactions from researchers, child safety advocates and human rights organisations and look at how a similar ban in Australia has failed to hit the mark. *** Good things we recommend *** >> Hidden Levels , a podcast mini-series on how video games reshaped the real world (including an episode on the military ) >> Kelly’s first episode of For Tech’s Sake,…
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S5 · E14 · 11 Jun 2026 · 39 min
Are data centres a drain? (with Prof Hannah Daly)
In this episode, Elaine is joined by energy researcher Prof Hannah Daly to discuss the energy strain data centres represent for Ireland, the greenwashing that enables their proliferation in the face of climate concerns, and the real costs – both financially and environmentally – of unchecked growth. *** Good things we recommend *** >> Hannah’s website >> Games by Sam (especially Clues by Sam and Bee Sort) >> Connie’s GCN marathon fundraiser >> Dublin Inquirer Summer School *** More from us *** Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.com FTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io FTS TikTok:…
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