Trini TechCast

makeITsimpleTT

Two Trinis talking about tech. Hosted by Andre Charles @makeITsimpleTT and co-hosted by Akeem Deare @redbit_tech Tune in each week as we take you on a journey through the world of technology, from the heart of Trinidad and Tobago to the rest of the globe. Our podcast is your one-stop-shop for all things tech, providing insightful and thought-provoking discussions on both local and international topics. Join us as we explore the latest trends in the tech industry, from groundbreaking innovations to emerging technologies, and discover how they’re impacting our daily lives.

  1. 19H AGO

    EP160: 1.5 million on OnlyFans from T&T | We finally have a UPI update | Vibe coding has issues

    The hosts dive into the eye-watering US$1.57 million Trinidad and Tobago spent on OnlyFans in 2025, questioning the priorities of a nation seemingly obsessed with digital subscriptions. They debate whether this massive outflow of foreign exchange is a sign of a burgeoning creator economy or just a very expensive way to keep the country's data plans active. Article: https://trinidadexpress.com/business/local/t-t-spends-us-1-57m-on-onlyfans-in-2025/article_2c50bf48-4a77-4575-85ad-4708fe4dc500.html In today's deep dive, we're looking at how India and Trinidad and Tobago are leveling up their relationship through a mix of UPI digital payments and a shared obsession with cricket. It seems like a fair trade-off: India brings the tech and agricultural grants, while everyone just agrees that meeting Brian Lara is the ultimate diplomatic win. Article: https://trinidadexpress.com/business/local/digital-payments-culture-and-cricket-strengthen-india-t-t-ties/article_8319930b-a64a-4f75-aab2-f93a24cd9bfe.html So, we are basically watching vibe coding turn "it works on my machine" into "it's broken in production" at record speed, thanks to AI consistently prioritizing flashy features over basic security like RLS or sanitized queries. It turns out that when you let a bot take the wheel without a proper audit, you're not just shipping code—you're shipping a VIP pass for hackers to walk right into your database. Article: https://www.pcmag.com/news/vibe-coding-is-causing-thousands-of-data-security-vulnerabilities-says

    1h 9m
  2. MAY 14

    EP159: How do we attract influencers? | Did iShowSpeed help us? | Elon and Sam in court but why?

    The hosts break down how IShowSpeed’s whirlwind visit to Trinidad and Tobago left the government scrambling to turn viral chaos into an actual influencer strategy. While the streamer racked up millions of views, the conversation turns to whether the country truly gained lasting tourism value or just a very loud, high-octane weekend of traffic jams. Article: https://www.guardian.co.tt/business/maharaj-on-ishowspeeds-visit-govt-working-on-influencer-strategy-6.2.2579401.9006a1a31f So, we’re looking at IShowSpeed essentially treating the Caribbean like his own personal stage, sparking a massive debate on whether this viral chaos actually helps local tourism or just pads his own view count. It’s the ultimate culture clash where 50 million subscribers get a crash course in Trini energy, leaving leaders wondering if they can turn a five-hour livestream into something more than just a temporary traffic jam. Article: https://trinidadexpress.com/features/local/ishowspeed-stirs-a-digital-debate/article_0f36f587-d78c-4e23-935a-24e79acbfb58.html The high-stakes legal drama between Elon Musk and Sam Altman has officially hit the courtroom, as the duo spars over whether OpenAI "stole the charity" to become a profit-driven giant for Microsoft. It is basically a billionaire's breakup playing out in public, with jurors now tasked to decide if the future of AI belongs to a nonprofit mission or a massive IPO. Article: https://rollingout.com/2026/05/10/how-did-musk-and-sam-altman-end-battle/

    1h 6m
  3. MAY 7

    EP158: Digital bus tickets will work? | Digital pension payments? | Ticket the driverless cars

    The hosts discuss how Trinidad and Tobago is finally ditching the paper trail by taking bus tickets and pension payments digital to help reduce those legendary transit lines. While they highlight the clear wins for efficiency and data, they also touch on the government's plan to make sure our senior citizens aren't left staring blankly at a smartphone screen. Article: https://www.guardian.co.tt/business/bus-tickets-pension-payments-set-to-go-digital-6.2.2570300.47a76b449a The hosts discuss how bus tickets and pension payments are finally moving to digital platforms to phase out the old-school paper systems. It is a solid step toward a more efficient T&T, even if it means we have to find a new use for all those physical ticket stubs we've been hoarding. Article: https://www.guardian.co.tt/business/bus-tickets-pension-payments-set-to-go-digital-6.2.2570300.47a76b449a So, California is finally letting cops ticket those 'ghost' cars starting in July, because apparently, even robots need a reality check when they block ambulances or blow through red lights," one host might say. The other would likely add, "Exactly, the DMV is basically telling manufacturers that if their tech acts up, the company is on the hook for the fine, proving that even in the future, you can’t outrun a traffic ticket. Article: https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/californias-driverless-cars-will-be-subject-to-tickets-soon/

    1h 6m
  4. APR 9

    EP154: TTPS website down and no one cared | Ministry of AI has a town hall meeting | Attacking data centers is a thing

    The TTPS website went dark because of some overdue bills, which is a pretty awkward look for our national security service. It's a tough pill to swallow that the police are out here patrolling the streets while their own digital front door gets locked for non-payment. Article: https://www.guardian.co.tt/news/ttps-website-outage-linked-to-unpaid-bills-6.2.2553048.4297564e4b https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea7eMe21Evo The Ministry of Public Administration and Allied Institutions is rolling out a fresh logo and a grand vision to modernize the public service, though we have to wonder if a new look is enough to fix the underlying bureaucracy. It is an ambitious attempt to rebrand the government's image, provided they can actually back up the sleek new aesthetics with some actual efficiency. Article: https://mpaai.gov.tt/sites/default/files/2026-04/media-release_mpaai-unveils-new-logo-and-vision-at-inaugural-town-hall.pdf So, it looks like the cloud isn't as untouchable as we thought, with Iranian strikes physically hitting Amazon’s data centers in Bahrain and the UAE and turning "high availability" into a literal fire drill. It’s a wild shift from cyber warfare to actual missiles, leaving tech giants scrambling to move workloads while realizing their server racks are now officially on the front lines. Article: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/amazons-cloud-business-bahrain-damaged-iran-strike-ft-reports-2026-04-01/

    1h 5m

About

Two Trinis talking about tech. Hosted by Andre Charles @makeITsimpleTT and co-hosted by Akeem Deare @redbit_tech Tune in each week as we take you on a journey through the world of technology, from the heart of Trinidad and Tobago to the rest of the globe. Our podcast is your one-stop-shop for all things tech, providing insightful and thought-provoking discussions on both local and international topics. Join us as we explore the latest trends in the tech industry, from groundbreaking innovations to emerging technologies, and discover how they’re impacting our daily lives.