7 in 10 fear the planned digital euro will leave consumers vulnerable to technical glitches and cybercrime

More than seven in ten (73pc) compliance experts in the Irish financial services sector are concerned that the planned digital euro could leave consumers and businesses vulnerable to cybercriminals and technical glitches. While more than six in ten (63pc) compliance experts in the financial sector don’t believe there is a need for a digital euro.

This is according to the findings of a new survey by the Compliance Institute, which polled 175 compliance professionals working primarily in Irish financial services organisations nationwide. The survey examined attitudes towards the digital euro, which has been described by the European Central Bank (ECB) “as an electronic form of cash for the digitalised world”. The ECB started preparatory work on the digital currency in November 2023 with the earliest possible launch date recently mooted as 2026[1].

Privacy fears around the currency also rank highly in the list of potential cons, with more than half (51pc) concerned that there could be issues around data protection and privacy if the digital euro is introduced. However, approximately half of all respondents accepted that the new digi currency may well bring benefits such as lowering the cost of banking and leading to greater convenience and efficiencies in transactions.

Commenting on the survey findings, Michael Kavanagh, CEO of the Compliance Institute said:

“Just 6pc of respondents said they have no concerns about the digital euro – which mean that the remaining 94pc feel some level of unease about the planned new currency. It would seem that the ECB has much work to do to allay fears around it ahead of any launch.”

The Top Five concerns which compliance professionals have about the digital euro, according to the survey, are:

  1. Consumers would be at the mercy of technology and could be unable to access their money in the event of a glitch (73pc expressed this worry)
  2. Its digital nature makes it susceptible to hackers, fraudsters and cyberattacks (73pc)
  3. The potential for consumer confusion, with a likely lack of knowledge on how to use the digital currency (65pc)
  4. It could lead to issues around data protection and privacy (51pc)
  5. It could displace and lead to less availability of cash (50pc)

Mr Kavanagh added:

“The thinking behind the digital euro is that it would give consumers the option to use central bank money in a digital format, complementing banknotes and coins – however, our survey found that there are concerns that the rollout of the currency could in time lead to less availability of cash. There are also clearly fears that consumers could be at a financial loss with this digital currency, particularly in relation to accessing their money in the event of a technical glitch – and potentially falling prey to fraudsters. Interestingly, almost half (47pc) of those surveyed were worried that the digital euro could give more power to tech and fintech companies.”

 

Asked in the survey what they believed the main advantages of the digital euro to be:

  • One in five (20pc) can see no benefits to its introduction
  • Almost six in ten (59pc) believed it would lead to more efficient transactions, with a similar number (56p) stating the convenience of the digital euro would be one of its main advantages.
  • Half believe it will reduce banking costs and be a cheaper way for consumers and businesses to pay for things and for people to exchange money.
  • Only one in four (24pc) felt it would offer a safer alternative to cash and card
  • Less than one in three (30pc) said the digital euro would be less vulnerable than existing currencies to counterfeiting.

Mr Kavanagh added:

“The ECB has said that the digital euro would make people’s lives easier by providing a digital means of payment universally accepted throughout the euro area, for payments in shops, online or from person to person. However, with a ream of avenues already in place for electronic and digital payments, including contactless mobile phone payments and electronic bank payments, it is understandable that so many compliance professionals believe the digital euro is already redundant. This, combined with the extent of concerns around the digital euro, shows that the ECB has a job ahead of itself in convincing the Irish and wider European public that this is a safe, inclusive and easy-to-use currency.”

 

[1] See Interview with Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB, on 8 May 2023. Fabio Panetta, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, also estimated a launch date of 2026. Header image credit 

The Ledge 4D Experience opens at the Cliffs of Moher

A €320,000 upgrade to the virtual reality cliffside experience at the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare has been completed.

Located within the Cliffs of Moher Experience visitor centre, the Ledge 4D Experience takes visitors on an interactive 3-minute tour of the cliffs and combines stunning visuals of the world-famous cliffs on a calm summer’s day, both above the sea and underwater, with the environmental effects of west of Ireland wind and spray of Moher mist.

State-of-the-art projectors, an upgraded sound system and a tiered standing area to allow for improved viewing conditions also have been installed to add to the overall authenticity of the experience mirroring a real-life bird’s-eye view of the Cliffs of Moher over and underwater.

Officially opening the Ledge 4D Experience, Cllr. Joe Cooney, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council said, “I warmly welcome the ongoing investment in the overall visitor experience at the Cliffs of Moher, which remains a primary driver for the local tourism economy. The Ledge 4D Experience brings to life the natural and scenic beautify of the Cliffs of Moher and it will be particularly beneficial to anyone who visits the site on a day when visibility may be poor at the cliff edge.”

Commenting on the background to the upgrade, Bobby Kerr, Chair of the Board of Cliffs of Moher Centre DAC said, “When commissioned in 2006, the Ledge visuals were state-of-the-art, but by 2023 were starting to show their age somewhat. As well as this, the projection and sound equipment, although upgraded and maintained over the years, were no longer the most efficient or effective in their class.”

“After many months of planning and preparation, work commenced last November to upgrade the experience,” added Mr. Kerr. This film itself, although remaining the same, has been updated to modern standards and the accuracy of the content has been improved to show more detail of the Cliff face, the birds, the sea life, and other elements such as the wave motion and grass movement.”

Set to a rousing soundtrack composed by famous local musician Davy Spillane, the Ledge 4D Experience follows a gannet over the cliff edge of the cliffs, down into the water to explore the wide range of life under the waves, and back up past the impressive Sea Stack and O’Brien’s Tower.

The project was delivered on behalf of Cliffs of Moher Experience by Rockbrook Engineering, DMW Creative, Marcon Construction and Alphachannel.

Visit www.cliffsofmoher.ie for more.

Maples Group Advances AI Strategy with Global Rollout of Harvey AI Partnership

Maples and Calder, the Maples Group’s law firm, is expanding its collaboration with Harvey AI (“Harvey”), the OpenAI-backed legal AI platform, to enhance its award-winning legal and professional services for the benefit of clients. The international law firm has long been at the forefront of innovation in law and regulation and this latest step follows a rich tradition of bringing additional value and services to the market.

Following a carefully managed pilot of generative AI among a sandboxed group of senior lawyers and professionals, the firm is now deploying Harvey to over 140 global Partners and a select group of senior professionals to explore how the technology can deliver even better outcomes for clients, while enhancing the work experience for its people.

The Maples Group recently held its annual flagship event, ‘The Maples Investment Funds Forum’, attended by over 350 international lawyers and investment professionals. A key theme of this year’s Forum was generative AI and included a fireside chat with Suril Patel, VP of Partnerships at Harvey AI, who presented an update on the latest developments in AI and a demonstration of how the Group is exploring the use of AI.

Harvey, a secure generative AI platform for sophisticated professional services, has earned the trust of leading international law firms, in-house teams, professional service providers and private equity firms. The company brings together engineers from the best AI research labs and lawyers from the most prestigious firms in the world to develop cutting-edge, specialised models that enable secure generative AI workflows and research for lawyers.  Harvey is designed to support the firm’s lawyers and professionals in a wide range of their daily projects and work tasks. The technology enables teams to take a creative and ambitious approach to enhance legal service delivery, both in respect of existing workflows and in the delivery of new capabilities which will benefit our clients and deepen the value we bring.

Ireland Managing Partner Peter Stapleton, who sponsors the Maples AI project, said, “The Maples Group has always valued and invested in innovation, advising at the cutting-edge of today’s laws and regulations to help our clients to be at the forefront of what they do. We have increasingly harnessed technology to deliver superior services to our clients and we invest heavily in LegalTech and RegTech solutions. Having been one of the first firms to start working with Harvey in late 2022, I’m excited that we are now taking our AI journey to the next level. And I look forward to many more conversations with our clients and partners in the industry as we work together to unlock the potential of this technology.”

Global Managing Partner Jonathan Green adds, “Generative AI will transform how we deliver legal services, but it will never replace our lawyers. The most effective work that we do in the future will combine the best of both people and technology. And in fact, our people’s legal expertise, business acumen, and client trust will matter more, not less. “

Harvey co-founder Winston Weinberg adds: “We are proud to partner with the Maples Group, who share our vision of using generative AI to enable lawyers to take legal services to the next level. They have been a key collaborator in assessing and developing our platform, and we look forward to working with them to discover new opportunities and outcomes for their clients and lawyers.”

Notably, a core team of the firm’s lawyers and technologists have been working with Harvey since late 2022 while it was still in beta. The firm established a carefully structured and sandboxed pilot, following a thorough risk review, limited to using only internal data and documentation, and with all output supervised by senior staff. The firm is now rolling Harvey alongside a global training programme, having developed an understanding of where the technology can be most helpful for clients and implemented safeguards to ensure quality and security.

HP Unveils Industry’s Largest Portfolio of AI PCs

HP Inc. has announced the industry’s largest portfolio of AI PCs leveraging the power of AI to enhance productivity, creativity, and user experiences in hybrid work settings.

In an ever-changing hybrid work landscape, workers are still struggling with disconnection and digital fatigue. HP’s 2023 Work Relationship Index reveals that only 27% of knowledge workers have a healthy relationship with work, and 83% believe it’s time to redefine our relationships with work. Most employees believe AI will open new opportunities to enjoy work and make their jobs easier, but they need the right AI tools and technology to succeed.

“At HP, our mission is to empower companies to capitalise on the power of AI, sparking ambitious and meaningful progress in every organisation,” said Val Gabriel, Managing Director, HP Ireland. “We are proud to represent the industry’s broadest portfolio of AI PCs. By harnessing AI as a personal tool, we are creating more personalised and meaningful work experiences, revolutionising the way we interact with technology and each other in the workplace.”

Focus on the work that matters with AI PCs

For today’s leaders, knowledge workers, and creators, HP introduced the newest generation of AI HP Elite PCs, featuring Copilot in Windows and Windows 11 Pro, and Z by HP mobile workstations, delivering high-performance computing solutions designed to power the most demanding workflows.

HP introduces the industry’s largest portfolio of AI PCs1

The latest HP Elite and Pro PC solutions are equipped with AI capabilities powered by multiple Intel® Core™  or next-generation processors with dedicated NPUs for tackling AI tasks. The new PCs are designed to automatically anticipate and adjust to usage behavior, ensuring the best balance of performance and power.  They offer improved, natural on-camera interaction and collaboration for a seamless user experience.

HP now has the largest portfolio of Intel® and AMD-based AI PCs, demonstrating a commitment to innovation and performance. The lineup launched today includes:

  • HP Elite 1000 Series G11 Notebook PCs: As the world’s most powerful AI business PCs the series is designed to deliver a seamless blend of portability, performance, and up to 21 hours of battery life for leaders and workers on the go. Harnessing the power of AI, users experience up to 80% better graphics performance, up to 38% less power for AI-enhanced collaboration, and up to 132% faster AI video editing compared to the previous generation.

 

  • HP EliteBook 800 and 805 Series G11 Notebook PCs: Created to meet the needs of enterprise knowledge workers taking on daily workloads that demand powerful performance and collaboration features.
  • HP EliteBook 600 and 605 Series G11 Notebook PCs: Crafted for corporate and public sector organisations that need to maximise value and flexibility to equip a range of users in hybrid environments.
  • HP ProBook 400 and 405 Series G11 Notebook PCs: Purpose-built for hybrid workers splitting time between the office and home, these devices unlock AI-powered workflows and essential performance while offering upgradeable storage and memory.
  • HP Elite Small Form Factor 805 G9 Desktop PC: Engineered for desktop workers looking to take productivity to the next level, workers experience boosted connectivity to take advantage of cloud-based AI applications.

Z by HP delivers high-performance solutions designed to power the most demanding workflows. The newest generation of AI HP ZBook mobile workstations tackle the challenges of mobile work yet maintain the necessary collaboration tools for executing large, complex projects from anywhere. Z by HP’s comprehensive hardware and AI software solutions ensure reliability, security, and mobility for creative professionals.

  • HP ZBook Power G11: A high-performance computing solution with the ability to power the most demanding workflows, boosting productivity in a new premium design with pro-grade components for running AI development and conceptual design applications. The HP ZBook Power G11 is designed to handle 3D modeling, AI-powered content creation, and heavy multitasking with ease.
  • HP ZBook Fury G11: Designed to deliver the power of desktop performance from anywhere, the ZBook Fury enables powerful AI acceleration for editing 8K videos, advanced 3D rendering, VFX, or tuning and running local AI models. Advanced thermal technology ensures optimal efficiency during demanding tasks.
  • HP ZBook Studio G11: Enhance focus and productivity in a sleek, portable form factor; the ZBook Studio allows users to build complex assemblies, bring AI capabilities to content creation tools, render in real-time, and visualise data on the go.
  • HP ZBook Firefly G11: The perfect fusion of pro-level performance and true mobility. The ZBook Firefly enables seamless project management from anywhere and is equipped with AI-accelerated performance and offers dynamic power efficiency and exceptional battery life.

Work protected with HP security solutions

Building on reputation as the world’s most secure and manageable PCs, today, HP introduced the world’s first business PCs to protect firmware against quantum computer hacks featuring HP’s upgraded Endpoint Security Controller (ESC) chip. This helps ensure the manageability and protection of sensitive data.

The HP Elite and ProBook notebooks and Z by HP workstations are equipped with HP Wolf Security for Business to protect end users no matter where and how they work. HP also launched HP Cloud Endpoint Manager SaaS, which is purpose-built for mission-critical devices to help IT secure endpoints from threats with automated device monitoring and remediation.

 Accelerate data science capabilities with the HP AI Creation Center, including by HP AI Studio

HP is accelerating the AI era with customised data science solutions. HP’s AI Creation Center combines the world’s most advanced workstation for AI with robust solutions like the Z by HP AI Studio to deliver the world’s most comprehensive workstation solution for AI development. Z by HP workstations and solutions designed in close collaboration with NVIDIA® will help scale compute and AI resources from an on-premise infrastructure to the cloud, simplifying building and customisation of private AI models through a platform that connects data teams, tools, and compute.

For data scientists and AI creators, the ability to seamlessly scale projects from an AI workstation to the cloud is critical. By building AI models in a hybrid environment from one, centralised location from the start, they can more easily shift from product development to production for the most substantial data science and AI tasks.

Swappie appoints new country manager – Luísa Vasconcelos e Sousa

Swappie, Europe’s foremost brand in refurbished smartphones, is delighted to introduce Luísa Vasconcelos e Sousa as the Country Manager for Ireland. Armed with a degree in Business Management and a specialization in Digital Transformation, Luísa brings a wealth of experience from her years at Facebook’s European headquarters (Meta) in Dublin, coupled with a diverse background in banking and marketing.

With a mission to promote conscious choices and habits, Luísa joins Swappie with a dedication to reducing the environmental impact of technology and strengthening the circular economy through the promotion of refurbished devices. Her strategic role aligns seamlessly with Swappie’s ongoing commitment to making refurbished tech mainstream, exemplified by the company’s current #Women4SustainableTech initiative.

Launched in celebration of International Women’s Day, #Women4SustainableTech underscores Swappie’s dedication to gender diversity and empowerment within the tech industry. Luísa’s role as the Country Manager for Ireland plays a pivotal part in this initiative, adding momentum to Swappie’s commitment to fostering an inclusive

Luísa Vasconcelos e Sousa, commented: “Working at Swappie is an incredible opportunity to be part of a movement towards more sustainable technology. I look forward to leveraging my experience to drive Swappie’s mission in Ireland, encouraging conscious choices that positively impact our environment.”

Luísa Vasconcelos e Sousa

As Swappie continues to celebrate women making strides in sustainable tech through the #Women4SustainableTech campaign, Luísa’s dynamic background and commitment to sustainability position her as a key player in furthering the company’s goals. With Luísa at the helm, Swappie looks forward to making a lasting impact in Ireland, fostering a more connected and sustainable society.

Electronics contribute to the largest and fastest-growing waste stream worldwide, and less than 15% of phones are recycled. Swappie aims to make it easier for people to purchase environmentally friendly, responsible smartphones by closing the loop on refurbished electronics and making circular smartphones accessible to the masses. Swappie controls its entire value chain, including carrying out all refurbishments at its factories in Helsinki, Tallinn and Leipzig, to ensure that the phones consumers receive are refurbished to the highest possible standards using the latest technology. 

Dublin City launches ‘Data Insights for Active Travel’ Project to determine impact of Active Travel infrastructure as part of Global Network of Cities

Lord Mayor Daithí de Róiste has announced that Dublin City Council (DCC) has joined forces with the Partnership for Healthy Cities to pilot new cutting-edge technologies for evaluating and measuring the impact of the city’s active travel investments (walking and cycling). Other partners include the National Transport Authority (NTA), ADAPT, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology, and Trinity College Dublin (TCD).

This unique partnership is set to boost understanding on active travel patterns in the city. The project will generate new data, which will be used to inform future infrastructure planning and improve safe and active transit options for city residents.

“Over the coming years, Dublin is investing in a city-wide Active Travel Network to provide 310 km of safe, accessible, and convenient pathways for walking, cycling, and other forms of active transportation. While this capital investment will be transformative for the city we need to think beyond the physical infrastructure and ensure that we are investing in the right technologies to generate better data and actionable insights to help evaluate and justify these investments,” said Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithí de Róiste.

“The last three years have seen a significant ramping up of NTA investment in Active Travel projects across the country, with many large projects, such as Clontarf to City Centre, now coming to fruition. The monitoring and evaluation of these projects needs to keep pace through the deployment of detection and counting equipment. Smart detection technology may have an important role to play in understanding trends and patterns to inform decision-making and monitor the impact of schemes. The NTA recognises that new technology and data captured will greatly improve our ability to monitor and communicate the impacts of Active Travel schemes,” said Joe Seymour, Head of Active Travel Investment, NTA.

The project will fill a gap in current methodologies by developing an Active Travel Data Toolkit, replacing the ad-hoc approach of data collection with a systematic and integrated process that supports and guides future investments in active travel.

“This project stands as a testament to DCC’s commitment to active travel as a cornerstone of health and well-being. By integrating advanced monitoring technologies, and data visualization techniques, DCC aims to set a new standard for active travel infrastructure. The ultimate goal is to achieve a measurable positive impact on citizen behaviour, emissions reduction, and overall public health, while also influencing active travel policies to foster healthier urban spaces,” said Andy Walsh, Director of Active Travel Programme Office, DCC.

By establishing a robust framework for data gathering and analysis, DCC, in collaboration with the NTA will be able to measure the true value of active travel enhancements more accurately. The initiative will be working through DCC’s Smart City team, leveraging the existing partnerships with ADAPT and collaborating with Prof Brian Caulfield, TCD.

Phase 1 of this project will target two active travel schemes – the Clontarf to City Centre (C2CC) corridor and the Kilmainham to Thomas Street scheme and the surrounding areas. The initial steps will focus on sourcing, validating, and implementing the latest innovations in active travel monitoring. During Phase 2, the insights gained will inform the development of a toolkit to enhance policy-making and active travel project implementation citywide.

Through the Partnership for Healthy Cities, cities commit to one of 14 proven interventions, from improving safety for vulnerable road users to strengthening public health surveillance systems. The network is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the global health organization Vital Strategies.

“Sustained investment in a city’s safe and active transit infrastructure can reduce noncommunicable disease risks and health inequities,” said Ariella Rojhani, Director, Partnership for Healthy Cities at Vital Strategies. “Today, we congratulate Dublin on its commitment to the health and safety of its residents and look forward to seeing how this new data is used to improve their quality of life.”

The announcement comes as this week DCC presents its work to public health leaders from more than 50 cities at the Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit in Cape Town, South Africa. The annual event provides cities from around the world with the opportunity to advance solutions and exchange ideas on how to create healthier, safer and more equitable urban centres.

Mapped: How Much Netflix Costs in Every Country

Netflix, the renowned streaming giant, has transformed the way we consume entertainment, providing a vast library of movies, TV shows, and documentaries at the touch of a button.

However, the cost of accessing this digital haven varies significantly from country to country, reflecting economic disparities and market dynamics.

This graphic from Preyash Shah, via Visual Capitalist, maps Netflix price by country, using standard (basic) package subscription monthly rates from Netflix.com and converting to USD as of December 10, 2023.

What is the Netflix Price by Country?

Across 244 countries and territories that had Netflix available in December of 2023, Switzerland was the most expensive at $21.48 per month. That was $5 more than the second-most-expensive country on the list.

Countries Netflix Cost (USD)
 Afghanistan $7.99
 Åland Islands $12.92
 Albania $8.61
 Algeria $7.99
 American Samoa $15.49
 Andorra $14.00
 Angola $7.99
 Anguilla $12.99
 Antigua & Barbuda $12.99
 Argentina $3.57
 Armenia $10.76
 Aruba $12.99
 Australia $11.19
 Austria $14.00
 Azerbaijan $10.76
 Bahamas $12.99
 Bahrain $10.49
 Bangladesh $7.99
 Barbados $15.29
 Belarus $10.76
 Belgium $14.54
 Belize $5.99
 Benin $9.99
 Bermuda $12.99
 Bhutan $7.99
 Bolivia $5.99
 Bosnia & Herzegovina $8.61
 Botswana $7.99
 Bouvet Island $9.99
 Brazil $8.10
 British Indian Ocean Territory $7.99
 British Virgin Islands $12.99
 Brunei $11.99
 Bulgaria $8.61
 Burkina Faso $7.99
 Burundi $7.99
 Cambodia $7.99
 Cameroon $7.99
 Canada $12.13
 Cape Verde $7.99
 Caribbean Netherlands $12.99
 Cayman Islands $12.99
 Central African Republic $7.99
 Chad $7.99
 Chile $9.58
 Christmas Island $7.99
 Cocos (Keeling) Islands $11.19
 Colombia $6.75
 Comoros $7.99
 Republic of the Congo $7.99
 Democratic Republic of the Congo $7.99
 Cook Islands $11.32
 Costa Rica $12.99
 Côte d’Ivoire $7.99
 Croatia $8.61
 Cuba $5.99
 Curaçao $12.99
 Cyprus $11.84
 Czechia $11.42
 Denmark $16.46
 Djibouti $7.99
 Dominica $5.99
 Dominican Republic $7.99
 Ecuador $7.99
 Egypt $3.88
 El Salvador $7.99
 Equatorial Guinea $7.99
 Eritrea $7.99
 Estonia $10.76
 Eswatini $7.99
 Ethiopia $7.99
 Falkland Islands $12.99
 Faroe Islands $16.46
 Fiji $7.99
 Finland $12.92
 France $14.54
 French Guiana $13.46
 French Polynesia $11.99
 French Southern Territories $12.92
 Gabon $7.99
 Gambia $7.99
 Georgia $12.70
 Germany $14.00
 Ghana $7.99
 Gibraltar $14.00
 Greece $11.84
 Greenland $16.46
 Grenada $5.99
 Guadeloupe $13.46
 Guam $15.49
 Guatemala $7.99
 Guernsey $13.79
 Guinea $7.99
 Guinea-Bissau $7.99
 Guyana $5.99
 Haiti $5.99
 Heard & McDonald Islands $9.99
 Honduras $7.99
 Hong Kong $9.99
 Hungary $9.85
 Iceland $14.00
 India $5.98
 Indonesia $7.72
 Iran $9.99
 Iraq $7.99
 Ireland $16.15
 Isle of Man $13.79
 Israel $12.67
 Italy $14.00
 Jamaica $5.99
 Japan $10.28
 Jersey $13.79
 Jordan $7.99
 Kazakhstan $10.76
 Kenya $4.52
 Kiribati $7.99
 Kuwait $9.99
 Kyrgyzstan $10.76
 Laos $7.99
 Latvia $10.76
 Lebanon $7.99
 Lesotho $7.99
 Liberia $7.99
 Libya $7.99
 Liechtenstein $21.48
 Lithuania $10.76
 Luxembourg $14.54
 Macau $9.99
 Madagascar $7.99
 Malawi $7.99
 Malaysia $9.65
 Maldives $11.99
 Mali $7.99
 Malta $14.00
 Marshall Islands $15.49
 Martinique $13.46
 Mauritania $7.99
 Mauritius $7.99
 Mayotte $13.46
 Mexico $12.62
 Micronesia $15.49
 Moldova $10.76
 Monaco $14.54
 Mongolia $7.99
 Montenegro $8.61
 Montserrat $12.99
 Morocco $6.41
 Mozambique $7.99
 Myanmar (Burma) $7.99
 Namibia $7.99
 Nauru $11.99
 Nepal $7.99
 Netherlands $12.92
 New Caledonia $11.99
 New Zealand $11.32
 Nicaragua $5.99
 Niger $7.99
 Nigeria $4.48
 Niue $11.32
 Norfolk Island $11.19
 North Macedonia $8.61
 Northern Mariana Islands $15.49
 Norway $9.99
 Oman $10.49
 Pakistan $2.82
 Palau $15.49
 Palestine $7.99
 Panama $8.99
 Papua New Guinea $7.99
 Paraguay $5.99
 Peru $9.28
 Philippines $7.19
 Pitcairn Islands $7.99
 Poland $10.68
 Portugal $12.92
 Puerto Rico $15.49
 Qatar $9.99
 Réunion $12.49
 Romania $10.76
 Rwanda $7.99
 Samoa $7.99
 San Marino $14.00
 São Tomé & Príncipe $7.99
 Saudi Arabia $11.47
 Senegal $7.99
 Serbia $8.61
 Seychelles $7.99
 Sierra Leone $7.99
 Singapore $13.02
 Sint Maarten $12.99
 Slovakia $10.76
 Slovenia $8.61
 Solomon Islands $7.99
 Somalia $7.99
 South Africa $8.41
 South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands $9.99
 South Korea $10.25
 South Sudan $7.99
 Spain $14.00
 Sri Lanka $7.99
 St. Barthélemy $5.99
 St. Helena $7.99
 St. Kitts & Nevis $12.99
 St. Lucia $5.99
 St. Martin $5.99
 St. Pierre & Miquelon $14.54
 St. Vincent & Grenadines $5.99
 Sudan $7.99
 Suriname $5.99
 Svalbard & Jan Mayen $9.99
 Sweden $12.32
 Switzerland $21.48
 Taiwan $10.49
 Tajikistan $12.70
 Tanzania $7.99
 Thailand $9.90
 Timor-Leste $7.99
 Togo $7.99
 Tokelau $11.32
 Tonga $7.99
 Trinidad and Tobago $12.99
 Tunisia $7.99
 Türkiye $3.38
 Turkmenistan $10.76
 Turks & Caicos Islands $12.99
 Tuvalu $7.99
 U.S. Outlying Islands $9.99
 U.S. Virgin Islands $15.49
 Uganda $7.99
 Ukraine $8.07
 United Arab Emirates $10.62
 United Kingdom $13.79
 United States $15.49
 Uruguay $12.99
 Uzbekistan $10.76
 Vanuatu $7.99
 Vatican City $14.00
 Venezuela $5.99
 Vietnam $9.08
 Wallis & Futuna $7.99
 Western Sahara $9.99
 Yemen $7.99
 Zambia $7.99
 Zimbabwe $7.99

Other wealthy countries like Denmark, Ireland, and the U.S. were in the top five most expensive countries for Netflix subscriptions, ranging from $16.46 to $15.49.

On the opposite side of the pendulum, Pakistan had the lowest Netflix subscription cost at $2.82 per month. It was followed by Türkiye at $3.38 and Argentina at $3.57.

Several factors influence the flux in pricing of Netflix subscriptions across different nations. These include:

  • Economic Factors: Netflix tailors its prices to align with the purchasing power of consumers in each market. Countries with higher average incomes typically bear higher subscription costs.
  • Market Competition: The presence of strong local streaming services can exert downward pressure on Netflix prices, forcing it to adjust its offerings to remain competitive.
  • Content Licensing: The cost of acquiring content rights varies across regions, influencing the overall pricing structure. Countries with higher licensing fees may experience higher subscription costs.
  • Currency Fluctuations: Currency exchange rates can impact Netflix’s pricing model, leading to occasional adjustments or fluctuations in subscription costs.

While affordability remains a primary concern for consumers, Netflix’s pricing strategy also aims to balance accessibility with content acquisition and profitability.

As the streaming industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to observe how Netflix adapts its pricing model to maintain its global dominance while catering to the diverse needs and preferences of its audience.

Momentum on Sustainable Energy Transition at Risk as Consumer Fatigue Sets In

As the sustainable energy transition enters a crucial new phase, momentum is at risk of slipping amongst Irish and global consumers. While households say they are more interested than ever in sustainability and the potential of a clean energy future, only three in ten (30%) feel they can do more at this time to be more sustainable. With 70% of the expected benefits of the energy transition to be driven by changes in consumer consumption, and at a time when energy prices are beginning to decline, reengaging households is key.

That’s according to the latest EY ‘Energy transition consumer insights’ report, which surveyed 23,000 residential energy consumers across 21 countries, including 1,042 in Ireland, and which also highlights the key role the energy providers can play in helping to close the gap between interest and action amongst consumers on energy sustainability.

In Ireland, 78% of consumers say they are doing as much as they can to be sustainable at this time. When it comes to shifting to cleaner sources of energy, the majority of Irish households say energy providers (57%) and Government (57%) should take the leading role, with just over one in five (21%) believing individual consumers should be leading. The global energy crisis and cost of living challenges continue to impact Irish households, with 69% of Irish consumers saying they can’t absorb a bill increase of 10%.

The research also identifies a generation gap when it comes to the sustainability premium of energy amongst Irish consumers – with Gen Z (32%) and Millennials (20%) willing to pay a premium for sustainable energy solutions, significantly ahead of Gen X (14%) and Boomers (15%).

Sean Casey, EY Energy & Infrastructure Consulting Leader says:

“After a number of years of spiking energy prices due to the conflict in Ukraine, combined with cost-of-living challenges facing many, it’s not surprising that Irish households feel that they are not in a position to do more on energy sustainability. Our research finds that the majority of Irish consumers say that they’ve already done everything they can, with only three in ten feeling they can do more to be more sustainable.

“This presents a significant challenge as we move into the next critical phase of meeting our ambitious but essential climate change commitments. While efforts on the supply side from producers are gaining momentum, with record renewable energy generation on the grid, we need an even more fundamental shift in how we engage and encourage sustainable energy consumption behaviours, as 70% of the outcome of the energy transition depends on people changing their behaviour, most notably how we power our homes and how we get around.

“With energy prices beginning to decline from the spikes of late 2022 and early 2023, there is now a window of opportunity in terms of promoting and incentivising sustainable energy behaviours at a household level. Energy consumers need a broad range of supports to make personal energy choices easier and more affordable. These supports are in such areas as renewable energy solutions for the home, electric vehicles and simply how consumers use energy every day. Closing the gap between their interest and action will depend on energy providers, government, and the broader energy ecosystem working together to pull every lever available.”

The Action-Reaction Paradox

The EY research also delved into consumer behaviours when it came to energy usage, finding that households are often undermining their own positive sustainability actions – in many cases without being aware of it. This behaviour is not uncommon and referred to by researchers as the ‘action-reaction paradox’.

More than seven in ten (72%) Irish consumers report they offset their positive energy actions with negative actions and behaviours. These can include replacing an appliance/device with a new one and continuing to also use the old one (21%), the increased use of a new appliance/device because it costs less to operate than the one it replaced (28%) or taking an action or making a purchase that helped reduce energy bills and using the savings to buy something else (31%).

Sean Casey says, “Our research finds that even when Irish households take action to increase their energy sustainability, they can sometimes offset the gains – frequently unknowingly – by undertaking another energy intensive action. This challenge is compounded by the fact that the consumption of a good or service often increases as prices fall – meaning that the rapid gains in terms of sustainable energy entering the grid in the past decade will be outweighed by increased energy demand overall. It’s imperative therefore that we redouble efforts to educate and support households to reduce energy use where possible. This can include switching to renewable energy – which is increasingly available without a premium – or to switch to dynamic plans that incentivise usage outside of peak periods of demand.”

Opportunity for Energy Providers

While 81% say that it’s the energy provider’s responsibility to be sustainable and offer sustainability options to consumers, usefully providers are Irish consumers’ most trusted source of guidance on energy sustainability and purchasing energy products and services (44%). This gives these companies a significant opportunity to play an increasing role in powering the next stage of the energy transition.

Kyle Kirkpatrick, EY Ireland Customer Strategy and Transformation Lead says: “Our research tells us there is a real opportunity for energy providers to act as trusted advisors to householders – making change easier, faster, broader and deeper. Consumers are becoming more comfortable with new technologies being part of their energy experience – including the use of AI and Generative AI to help provide personalised advice and information about new energy solutions, and these technologies can play an increasingly important role in enabling consumers. One thing is clear: a collaborative, holistic approach to the energy transition, with consumers at the core, is how we will accelerate progress toward a fairer, greener, and better energy system that delivers more value for everyone.”

Find out more here.

Not just a man’s world – the transformation in the machinery sector

Mechanical engineering, industry, construction, and workshops: These are environments typically associated with men – at least according to the prevailing view in society. This is because women are supposedly not interested in technology and machinery. However, this perspective is outdated, as confirmed by four women in key roles at the industrial auction house Surplex.

The industry and mechanical engineering sectors, long considered male-dominated fields, are on the cusp of significant changes. For decades shaped by traditional gender roles and distributions, the rigid boundaries that hinder women’s access to technical professions and leadership positions are increasingly being broken down. Statistics paint an encouraging picture: The proportion of women in these fields is growing. This development, especially highlighted on International Women’s Day on 08 March, underscores the growing recognition of the importance of diversity in the workplace. Yet, there are still many challenges women often face.

New perspectives: women in technical professions

Surplex, an industrial auction house for used machinery in metalworking, woodworking, and construction, is also a typically male-dominated company. This is reflected not only in the industry but also in the professions: The Surplex project managers and sales managers, often with technical training, are responsible for acquiring machinery and conducting individual auctions, serving as direct contacts for predominantly male providers. Therefore, it is not surprising that two-thirds of Surplex’s employees are male.

However, Karin Schneider, Head of HR at Surplex, sees a positive change in the proportion of women at Surplex. A major problem, however, is the applicants’ experience. “The trend for more women to take up ‘typically male professions’ is still relatively new, so unfortunately, the depth of experience of most female applicants for higher positions is often not sufficient.“

The Surplex management team consists of three people, one of whom is a woman: Ghislaine Duijmelings. “It has been proven that diverse teams lead to better results. Therefore, it is crucial to consciously steer in this direction. In terms of internal labour mobility, we want to directly address women about new opportunities.“ Schneider also adds, “For us, gender is less important than a person’s qualifications. Such attributes should actually be irrelevant in a modern society.“ Despite the suitable working environment, why are there still fewer women in this industry?

Overcoming challenges, reducing self-doubt

“I think it’s due to cultural aspects such as stereotypical gender images, the way education is structured, and there are fewer female role models in these sectors. Also, the image of these sectors as a man’s world can deter women,“ says Duijmelings, echoing Schneider’s argument: How modern is our society today?

The fact that there are few women in this industry is not because they are excluded by men, as Nancy Castañeda, Project Manager for Surplex in Spain, and Kristina Voosholz, Acquisition and Purchasing, know from their own experience. “Of course, there was the occasional remark ‘Do you even know anything about machines?’, but you have to rise above that and charmingly convince the conversational partner otherwise,“ says Voosholz about her experience in the used machinery trade. Her long-standing expertise in the business has given her enough confidence to face sceptical business partners. And Nancy Castañeda feels the same: “Sometimes I felt like I wasn’t in the right place because I was surrounded by men, but I was confident that my work was good enough and I believed in myself.“ Sceptics were quickly convinced, and today she has many very good relationships with her business partners. Both women have not experienced outright rejection during their time at Surplex.

Balancing career and family: a management task

The combination of family and her role as CEO is not always easy, but for Duijmelings, it’s no obstacle. “It’s important to be flexible. I don’t stress when unforeseen circumstances arise. Taking responsibility also means setting priorities.“ And even though her children will always come first, it’s important to her to demonstrate that it’s important to be independent and to fulfil oneself.

Castañeda shares similar challenges between career and family. As a mother, she finds the time away from family the most challenging, an experience she shares with her male colleagues. “But the truth is, I have the support of my husband.“

So, flexibility is key for mothers – not just in technical professions. Surplex actively strives as an employer to create an environment where all employees can combine family and work. Whether through flexible working hours, part-time offers, workation (work & location, i.e. working in a different country than usual), or home office.

Diversity as the key to success

Women bring a new perspective to the market. Studies show that teams with a mix of different cultures, genders, and age groups are the most successful. It sounds like a cliché: Especially a balanced gender distribution leads to better decisions because it balances the extreme risk-taking of men and the excessive caution of women. The most important thing, therefore, is to encourage women to dare to enter technical fields.

For all women considering whether they are cut out for the machinery market or whether they should opt for a different career, Ghislaine Duijmelings has a tip: “My advice to other women: You are exactly right the way you are. Just take your position as a woman! Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know.“