The Business of Tech

Is it time for NZ to be bolder with regulating big tech? Peter talks to the European Union's envoy to Silicon Valley about how the EU's efforts to regulate big tech have been received and what NZ could learn from the massive government's imminent law changes. We also ask if Microsoft's co-pilot can really be worth the pricetag. Subscribe on iHeart Radio or wherever you get podcasts. Reading listSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week our main feature comes from Peter's experience at the site of OpenStar, a local startup that has big plans for creating a viable nuclear fusion reactor. He speaks to founder Ratu Mataira, investor Robbie Paul, and fusion expert Dennis Whyte to get their takes on what OpenStar is doing differently. Ben reports on one of the startup events of the year: Ministry of Awesome's Electrify Aotearoa conference for 2023. If you missed out, it's your chance to get a taste of what was on offer. From our browsers to yours, recommended reading from across the internet. Subscribe on iHeart Radio or wherever you get podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's episode is sponsored by 2degrees and takes a deep look at the telco's Shaping Business report for 2023. Ben interviews a guest panel that includes: 2degrees chief business officer Andrew Fairgray, Mitre10 CEO Andrea Scown, and Founder of Valocity, Data Insight and Generate Zero Carmen Vicelich. Plus, Ben and Peter share their own views on some of the key findings. Subscribe on iHeart Radio or wherever you get podcasts. From our browsers to yours – recommended reading from across the internet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This month was the hottest in recorded history, and the evidence that humanity is at fault is irrefutable. That's why episode 14 is all about how using data and digital tools could help start to move the needle on greenhouse gas emmissions. From next year, listed companies are going to be expected to disclose their emmissions in their annual reports. KPMG director and data specialist Greg Scott joins to explain what that means and what the benefits to both planet and businesses could be. That's followed by an interview with Ben Gleisner, founder and CEO of Cogo, a NZ-born startup that is helping people and small businesses across the globe get better visibility into their own emmissions. The big question is: will any of this make a difference? Subscribe on iHeart Radio or wherever you get podcasts. From our browsers to yours – recommended reading from across the internet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's episode 13 and Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck joins to talk about why the company gave up on catching rockets with helicopters to focus on fishing them out of the ocean instead. Beck also gives detail into what's happening at Rocket Lab and where he sees Aotearoa New Zealand on the global space industry stage. News topics: Twitter is out, X is... well, Twitter's called X now. Cutting costs of contracting with cozy consultants. Are we ready for an all-AI ad agency? Subscribe on iHeart Radio or wherever you get podcasts. From our browsers to yours, recommended reading from across the internet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tāwhaki chief exec Linda Falwasser and BryceTech managing director Simon Potter join this week to talk about the big plans for an aerospace hub on the Kaitorete Spit in Canterbury, and how it can help rejuvenate the surrounding land and water. We also speak to Brooke Lord from the NZ and Aus recruitment peak body RCSA about the sudden drop in tech job listings. Our news topics include: Monopoly concerns over Microsoft acquiring Activision AI in Hollywood - actor strikes and Oppenheimer's warning From our browers to yours, recommended reading from across the internet. Subscribe on iHeart Radio or wherever you get podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No one is 100% immune to being scammed and for businesses, one simple mistake can cost dearly. We talk to Nigel Latta who has returned to NZ's screens with You've Been Scammed, a deep dive on the business of scams in Aotearoa and has some top tips for who to be wary of and how to avoid becoming a victim yourself. Tech news covered: Should we have a sovreign cloud for AI? The impending end of 3G mobile networks. Twitter v Threads (because we can't help ourselves). From our browsers to yours, recommended reading from across the internet. Subscribe on iHeart Radio or wherever you get podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In episode 10 we talk to science communicator extraordinaire Neil deGrasse Tyson. In an interview with Ben, Neil shares his views on commercialising space, the cesspit of social media, science's racist history, and more. They discuss his latest book, in which Neil asks what people, governments and businesses can learn by looking at the world from a cosmic perspective. Ben and Peter also discuss the shifting sands for One NZ and Spark, Twitter's latest floundering, and the launch of UK-based fintech Revolut into NZ. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Pocket Casts, or wherever you get podcasts. From our browsers to yours, recommended reading from across the internet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 9 of The Business of Tech we quickly dip into the 2023 NZ Hi Tech Awards. Then, we catch up with Ben Reid, Aotearoa's leading futurist, the creator of the influential Memia weekly newsletter, NZTE Beachheads advisor, and business consultant. What do Kiwi businesses need to know about the generative AI revolution? Can robotics help transform our manufacturing sector, and is there still life in the metaverse? Tune in to hear Ben's take on all of this and insight on how we, in the words of Sir Paul Callaghan, "get off the grass" and build a low-carbon weightless economy. Find our reading list here, and don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In episode 8, we feature an extended interview with Paul James, the government's chief digital officer, and the chief executive officer of Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). James is the man responsible for coordinating how government departments adopt technology and the work DIA does also has a key impact on how digital services are delivered to citizens and how aspects of the digital realm are regulated in Aotearoa. Our chat ranged far and wide, spanning the government’s cloud-first strategy, the Christchurch Call, new digital identity legislation and efforts to address gaps in the regulation of online content. There’s a lot going on when it comes to tech-related policy across government – tune in to get up to speed on some of the latest developments and what they mean for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Special guest Marian Johnson, chief executive of the Ministry of Awesome, features in episode 7 to explain the benefits that women founders can bring to NZ's economy, and how we can best support women who decide to follow their own high growth startup dreams. Before that, Ben and Peter talk cybersecurity, with commentary from Microsoft's local national security officer Mark Anderson, following the Privacy Commissioner stating that two-factor authentication is now "a bare minimum" They talk about the growth of cybercrime-as-a-service and business email compromise, and share their own stories of being the victims. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify. Recommended reading list.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Ben and Peter are joined by Apple watcher Dr Sarb Johal from A+ Report to talk about the biggest Apple product drop since the Apple Watch - the Vision Pro. They ask what it will take for the device to catch on and who the actual customers could be. Sarb shares what he expects to see for the future of Apple's attempts at mixed reality and why he thinks Apple's share price dropped in response to its 'spatial computer' launch. Plus, they chat about the other news out of the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC). Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts. Reading listSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week it's all about generative AI and LLMs on episode five. Ben and Peter dig into the NZ Privacy Commission's 'expecations' around businesses using tools like ChatGPT and consider how it compares it to the EU's regulatory approach. They ask who will win the race to the AI personal assistant (and what does that even mean) and consider who will be the winners in the race to build infrastructure to support the AI revolution. Finally, Peter talks to AI chatbot expert Tim Warren, CEO and founder of Kiwi tech success story Ambit. Find our recommended reading list here. New episodes every Thursday. Follow or subscribe to get it delivered straight to your favourite podcatcher.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the state of NZ’s startup scene is on Ben and Peter’s minds following the release of TIN’s 2023 Technology Investment Report. They discuss key points from Ben’s interview with TIN managing director Greg Shanahan. They ask how good the 2023 budget was for tech and science. Then, Capture the Bug founder and CEO Ankita Dhakar explains to Peter why businesses should be putting out bounties for flaws in their systems. New episodes every Thursday. Follow or subscribe to get it delivered straight to your favourite podcatcher. @petergnz @bentm_journo @businessdesk_nzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to episode three of The Business of Tech, hosted by leading tech journalist Peter Griffin and BusinessDesk technology editor Ben Moore. This week we're joined by Mark Callander, chief executive of our sponsor 2degrees. The word of the day is satellites as Mark draws back the curtain on the telco's partnership with Lynk Global for its upcoming satellite-to-mobile tech to deliver cell service to customers out of the range of cell towers. Mark outlines what it does, how it works, and why it’s different from Apple’s Emergency SOS service. But before that, the news of the day is unpacked, including 5G spectrum allocation and rural connectivity, Zenno Astronautics’ success, and Google’s AI announcement Find our recommended reading list here. New episodes every Thursday. Follow or subscribe to get it delivered straight to your favourite podcatcher. @petergnz @bentm_journo @businessdesk_nzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to episode two of The Business of Tech, hosted by leading tech journalist Peter Griffin and BusinessDesk technology editor Ben Moore. It’s a two-fer this week on The Business of Tech as Peter and Ben pack their second episode full of tech talk. First up is Ashlee Vance, author of When the Heavens Went on Sale – a dive into the history of the commercialisation of space, including New Zealand’s own Peter Beck and Rocket Lab. Second, communications and digital economy minister Ginny Andersen answers a series of questions posed by Ben about where she sees tech in NZ today and tomorrow, and Peter and Ben try to read between the lines. New episodes every Thursday. Follow or subscribe to get it delivered straight to your favourite podcatcher. @petergnz @bentm_journo @businessdesk_nz See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to episode one of The Business of Tech, hosted by leading tech journalist Peter Griffin and BusinessDesk technology editor Ben Moore. This week, the pair talk about Ben's recent trip to Microsoft's HQ in the US and what the company has planned for OpenAI. Then, Peter interviews Judith Collins who shares her views on government's role in the tech sector. New episodes every Thursday. Follow or subscribe to get it delivered straight to your favourite podcatcher. @petergnz @bentm_journo @businessdesk_nz See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.