This week in tech: data retention back on the agenda, artificial intelligence in the spotlight, and are more tech lay-offs on the way?

The issue of data retention is back on the agenda again. In her column this week, Karlin Lillington criticises two last-minute actions by the Government that she says will trample on democracy and are certain to create further international, reputation-damaging complications in the future. The first is a blanket 12-month communications data retention; the second, an amendment to draft legislation that will stop public discussion on anything the DPC considers “confidential” elements of complaints it is considering.

The Irish Times View on retaining the data concludes that proper legislation is needed and the blanket data retention must stop. Arguments about security and policing won’t wash either – problems with organised crime and a legacy of paramilitary violence are not unique to Ireland, and other EU states seem to be able to function without this unfettered access to mobile phone data.

The EU law designed to force Big Tech to police content more aggressively on their platforms is now facing its first legal challenge, with online fashion retailer Zalando alleging it is being unfairly targeted by the new rules.

Food service group Romayo’s has signed a deal with tech company Boss IT to use the company’s hospitality management platform across its Irish restaurants, including point of sale, inventory management, online ordering systems, driver management and staff scheduling.

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Irish consumers are embracing refurbished technology, as prices rise and disposable income is squeezed. Online marketplace Refurbed hit a milestone in sales this week, and Ireland is one of its top markets.

AI was back in the headlines this week, as Open Orphan spin-out Poolbeg Pharma said it had used CytoReason’s AI-powered platform to crunch its data and identify a number of potential drug targets for flu treatments. The same data-set had already yielded a potential target before – but AI sped up the process and identified more targets. The company hailed it as a significant breakthrough.

Also on the topic of AI, Joe Humphreys says what makes OpenAI founder Sam Altman fascinating is the mix of idealism and instrumentalism. The “father of ChatGPT” is currently on a global sales mission, arguing that knee-jerk reactions against AI are a kind of moral failing.

And Frank Dillon finds some surprising results when he engages with AI.

A review of the National Cyber Security Strategy 2019-2024 published this week highlights nvestment in building the National Cyber Security Centre’s capacity and addressing cyber security skills gaps as priorities.

That seems timely, given the results of a new survey published this week. Irish businesses are aware of how important it is to prevent cyber attacks, but very few of them seem to have a good level of awareness of specific measures or tools needed to protect their data and digital assets. The survey carried out by iReach Insights for Google also revealed less than half of businesses taking simple measures such as requiring staff to change passwords regularly.

Emmet Malone looks at how the Financial Services Union is looking further afield for new members, including the tech sector. The union has seen its membership reduce from 25,000 to 10,000 in recent years, but a new three-year strategic plan is seeing it strive to make itself more relevant to a new generation of young workers.

Google, meanwhile is pulling its news service from Canada and blocking links to news in its search engine there. The decision comes after a new law passed that would require the company to pay Canadian publishers for links to news. Canada isn’t the only country that has explored this particular avenue; Australia faced-off with Google and Meta three years ago, but a last-minute change opened the way for the tech companies to negotiate private deals with publishers. It doesn’t look like Canada will back down on this one though, with parliament brushing off effort to water down the legislation, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accusing Google and Meta of bullying local politicians by threatening to pull out.

Chris Horn looks at how technology is changing the hunt for lethal anti-personnel landmines in Ukraine, with low-flying drones with GPS-enabled thermal cameras and magnetic resonance among new methods used to clear unexploded ordnance.

In this week’s Inside Business podcast, IDA Ireland boss Michael Lohan says more tech lay-offs are likely, and looks at the housing shortage as a factor in threatening foreign direct investment.

Is it greenwashing or is it genuine ESG? Diligent’s chief Brian Stafford talks about why businesses are paying more attention to their environmental, social and governance reporting, and why it is becoming less about vague claims and more about data to back it up. Getting that auditable data trail is where Diligent is pitching its wares.

This week’s tech review is a portable karaoke microphone that will either transform you into a karaoke queen or ensure your friends and family avoid you for the next few months. Not to mention annoying the neighbours.