Luckily much of what we see on social media is safe. But somewhere, somebody has to watch all the horrific content uploaded online in order to filter it out for the general public. We speak to a former moderator who worked on Meta platforms in Ghana. Plus, the community project in Puerto Rico with an innovative way of keeping its power on. And we say goodbye to video call program Skype. (Warning – this episode includes some distressing content and a reference to suicide.) Presenter: Chris Vallan...
May 06, 2025•26 min
A groundbreaking space mission will help scientists peer through dense jungle canopy to measure the difference the world's forests are making to climate change. We interview the expert who came up with the idea. Also on Tech Life: It's clicked billions of times a day, but do you know how it started in the first place ? We find out why the world gave a big thumbs up to the 'like' button. And digitising agriculture in Ghana - how tech is streamlining the growing and selling process for thousands o...
Apr 29, 2025•26 min
Do dolphins have their own language ? And could we 'speak' to them ? An AI large language model from Google, called DolphinGemma, is helping experts study dolphin communication. We interview Doctor Denise Herzing, the Research Director and founder of the Wild Dolphin Project, about her work and how it might bring benefits for humans and dolphins. Also in this edition, we find out how tech is changing the way NFL fans watch football games, and mega-batteries are helping to keep the lights on. Tel...
Apr 22, 2025•26 min
This week we're looking at artificial intelligence and how it can discriminate against us, affecting our chances of getting work or being approved for a loan. What causes it ? On the flip side - could it be AI to the rescue ? We learn about a computer model that predicts the behaviour of people who go missing. Could it help emergency services find those lost in the wilderness ? And Tech Life's gaming expert gets hands-on with the new Nintendo Switch 2. You can tell us about the one item of tech ...
Apr 15, 2025•26 min
Tech Life looks at icebergs. Climate change means there are more of them in our oceans, breaking away and slowly melting. Scientists need to study them - but how ? We speak to an expert about robotic gliders, which are opening up new research opportunities. Also in this edition, can we trust artificial intelligence ? One of its problems is that it hallucinates, so we find out more about it. How can tech help people who are blind or partially sighted watch TV ? And our reporter gets his hands dir...
Apr 08, 2025•26 min
Tech Life looks at satellite navigation and the increase in cases of signal interference. How could this affect shipping and aviation safety, and what can be done about it ? Also in this edition, what digital material of cultural significance should be stored for the future ? A volunteer project is improving Wikipedia's photographs. And we find out about efforts to harness the power of the moon on the Faroe Islands. Tell us about the one bit of tech you use in your life everyday – get in touch b...
Apr 01, 2025•26 min
What is it like to live with a computer chip in your brain ? Noland Arbaugh became the first person to receive a device from Elon Musk's neurotechnology firm, Neuralink. Noland tells the BBC about his operation to implant the chip, how he can control a computer with his thoughts, and how it has improved his life. Also on Tech Life this week, we explore a crypto solution to an electricity problem in rural Zambia, and look at one attempt to tackle the tricky subject of copyright and AI. Tell us ab...
Mar 25, 2025•26 min
A former US Air Force engineer found articles about her were removed from the internet, on US government instructions. She tells us why she wants to archive them for the future. Then, we go inside Africa’s biggest tech market. Plus, the blind astronomer who listens to space. And quantum computers may be on the verge of a breakthrough. We explain why this matters. Tell us about the one bit of tech you use in your life everyday – get in touch by emailing [email protected] or send us a Whatsapp on...
Mar 18, 2025•26 min
This week on Tech Life, we ask why online banking and payment outages happen, and find out what you can do to protect your data and money. The first Saudi Arabian woman to run an international body speaks to us about her life in tech, and her role in charge of the Digital Co-operation Organisation. And if you had to spend a long time on the Moon or Mars, what kind of base would you want to live in ? We are always keen to hear from you. You can email us: [email protected], or send us a text mess...
Mar 11, 2025•26 min
Live trials are under way in Ghana of holoportation 3D telemedicine tech. It allows a patient in a remote location to connect to a doctor many miles away, and be examined. We speak to the lead engineer involved in the project, as well as a patient and a doctor benefiting from the portable kit. Also on Tech Life, what happens when a country's leader decides the names of some places (or stretches of water) are about to change ? Do online maps update ? How is it decided ? Our reporter has been sear...
Mar 04, 2025•26 min
With Amazon now in charge of James Bond, how will they use data to shape the franchise. We speak to a company which analyses scripts using AI and suggests actors or story changes. Plus, the computer scientist who got her native language on to Google Translate, and the Indian village which became a YouTube sensation. We love hearing from you. Send us an email on [email protected] or send a Whatsapp to +44330 1230 320. Presented and produced by Imran Rahman-Jones. Our editor is Monica Soriano. (I...
Feb 25, 2025•26 min
Planet Earth's oceans remain relatively unexplored. Now one company has a bold plan to build habitats for humans to live and work underwater for long spells of time. We hear about the tech challenges of life on the seabed. Also on Tech Life, we speak to a Californian TikTok content creator, and a company benefiting from being on TikTok, as the future of the video-sharing platform in the United States remains uncertain. And who needs big crowds and long queues ? Is the future of gaming expos virt...
Feb 18, 2025•26 min
Artificial intelligence can pick out the words we're typing from analysis of our brainwaves. Could it give a voice to those who can't speak because of brain injury or illness ? We interview an expert leading the research. Also on this week's edition of Tech Life, will AI and 3D printing revolutionise the shoe business ? And the hot and cold solution to keep fish fresh in Kenya. We are always keen to hear from you. You can email us: [email protected], or send us a text message or voice note on W...
Feb 11, 2025•26 min
As DeepSeek shocked the world, we speak to an AI expert who worked at a Chinese AI firm. We hear about a new battery exchange system for EVs in Addis Ababa. And imagine a world without potholes - we've got a scientist on who is working on self-healing roads. Get in touch by emailing [email protected] or sending a Whatsapp to +44330 1230 320. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Editor: Monica Soriano (Photo: The logo of the Alibaba AI model Qwen, a blue triangle with Chinese c...
Feb 04, 2025•26 min
It sounds like a Hollywood movie - bringing extinct animals like the dodo back to life - but a company has attracted hundreds of millions of dollars of investment to do just that. We hear the arguments for and against de-extinction technology. Also, losing the alcohol but keeping the taste, our reporter takes a sober dive into the tech behind alcohol-free beer. We are always keen to hear from you. You can email us: [email protected], or send us a text message or voice note on Whatsapp: +44 330 ...
Jan 28, 2025•26 min
In this edition we're trying to find out why some popular security and privacy services - known as VPNs - are disappearing from app stores in India. Also on this week's Tech Life, we speak to the team behind a super-lightweight plane, powered by the sun's rays, that could be used like a steerable satellite. And does talk of artificial intelligence make you worried about your job, or make you wonder what the future might hold ? Don't worry, it's not all gloom ! We hear from a historian who is tak...
Jan 21, 2025•26 min
In this edition we discuss ways of checking facts on social media. This is after Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg announced Facebook and Instagram will change the way facts are checked. Also in Tech Life, data is being saved for the future, deep underground in the Arctic Circle. Our reporter Adrienne Murray visits the Arctic World Archive in Svalbard. LinkedIn tell us how they are verifying their users are real. And find out why online mapping has become more than getting from A to B. We’re always keen...
Jan 14, 2025•26 min
Tech Life is at CES in Las Vegas, one of the world’s biggest consumer tech shows. We hunt for some of the event’s weirdest tech, and speak to the people behind the showcase. Plus, why is the tech world now obsessed with cars? We love hearing from you. Get in touch by emailing us on [email protected] or send us a Whatsapp on +443301230320. Presented and produced by Imran Rahman-Jones, Alasdair Keane and Lily Jamali Edited by Monica Soriano (Image: The neon "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign lit up agai...
Jan 07, 2025•26 min
Want to know what’s in store for the tech world in 2025? Tech Life has got you covered. From AI to cybersecurity, gaming and crypto and beyond, we bring you our predictions for the next 12 months. And we’re not alone. We’re calling on the help of friends of the show and experts around the world – with some familiar voices for regular Tech Life listeners.
Dec 31, 2024•26 min
From the innovations that flourished to those that flopped, from providing virtual boyfriends to taking very real jobs, we look back an another fascinating twelve months in tech – and hear from reporters, experts and listeners about which tech most changed your lives in 2024. (Image: a montage of text message like speech boxes on a background of what looks like code. Copyright: Getty Images).
Dec 24, 2024•26 min
One of the world’s biggest car manufacturers pulled the plug on its robotaxi project. So what next? We also ask the experts how AI will impact your job. And we’re at the launch of a new music discovery tool, which uses a mix of AI and expert curation. We’re always keen to hear from you. You can email us on [email protected], or send us a voice note on Whatsapp at +44330 1230 320. Presenter: Graham Fraser Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: A Cruise car with cameras attac...
Dec 17, 2024•26 min
We speak to cyber security experts about how cyber warfare works – and how it stays out of the headlines. Then we hear about the aerodynamics tech making athletes more streamlined. And we meet the new Indiana Jones, gaming star Troy Baker. Tell us about the new tech you've tried out in 2024. What gadgets or apps helped you out this year? Send us an email to [email protected] or Whatsapp us on +44 330 123 0320. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Editor: Monica Soriano (Image:...
Dec 10, 2024•26 min
Computer scientist Sasha Luccioni is a pioneering voice in AI, especially when it comes to its environmental impact. We speak to her as she is announced on the BBC 100 Women list. We also meet one of the only AI startups in Bhutan, and the two friends who met online and have finally met in real life – after 13 years of knowing each other. Presenter: Zoe Kleinman Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: A black and white portrait photo of Sasha Luccioni smiling at the camera. I...
Dec 03, 2024•26 min
Women in a forest in India found they were being followed and recorded by cameras which were meant to be for monitoring tigers and other wildlife. We speak to the researcher who interviewed hundreds of women in the community. We learn about how online shopping tries to influence your behaviour. And we visit an Arctic island which is turning to renewables. We want to know about the big tech stories of 2024 where you are. Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected] or Whatsapp us on +44 33...
Nov 26, 2024•26 min
Robot security dogs have been spotted at Mar-A-Lago, the Florida home of US president-elect Donald Trump. Who are behind them, and what security services do they offer? Also on the programme, we hear about one phone company’s plan to waste phone scammers’ time. And the startup using AI to provide loans to people without a credit history. We love hearing from you on Tech Life. Get in touch by emailing [email protected] or sending us a Whatsapp on +44330 1230 320. Presenter: Zoe Kleinman Producer...
Nov 19, 2024•26 min
We hear from a former moderator in Kenya who was left traumatised by his previous job. And we ask what video games could do to be more accessible to blind people. Plus – the radar tech used to help with online mapping. Warning: This episode includes a description of child sexual abuse. We love hearing from you on Tech Life. You can email us at [email protected] or Whatsapp us on +44330 1230 320. Presenter: Graham Fraser Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: A man in glasse...
Nov 12, 2024•26 min
Tech Life created a fake podcast using a new AI tool from Google Labs, and we spoke to the head of the tool, Steven Johnson. Don’t worry – this programme is still brought to you by real human beings! We also look into how deepfakes have been used in the US. Plus – have we unveiled the real inventor of Bitcoin? (Spoiler – no.) We love hearing from you. Email us on [email protected] or send a WhatsApp on +44 330 123 0320. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Editor: Monica Soria...
Nov 05, 2024•26 min
Intel was once unrivalled as the world's chip maker. Now it has fallen behind its rivals. We hear why the company is struggling ahead of its latest earnings call this week. Also, the many uses of drones around the world. And the surprising tech behind indoor golf. We love hearing from you - and if you're a regular listener you'll know by now that you can contact us via email on [email protected]. Or, send us a message or voice note on WhatsApp. Our number is +44 330 123 0320. Presenter: Zoe Kle...
Oct 29, 2024•26 min
This week we're looking at artificial intelligence in the workplace - how are employers and employees using it ? An international survey provides some answers. Also on Tech Life: We bring you a technological solution to the problem of litter being left behind by climbers on Mount Everest. Electric car manufacturers are rated on their human rights policies. And find out how you can heat your home - with electric wallpaper. Presenter: Graham Fraser Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: An abstract futuristi...
Oct 22, 2024•26 min
Does the tech you use depend too much on a few critical minerals ? When a hurricane temporarily disrupted mining in the small town of Spruce Pine, the tech world was concerned. We find out why the location, in North Carolina, USA, is so important, and discover where a range of rare manufacturing materials can be found across the globe. Are they critical links in a supply chain that can be broken by natural disasters or political decisions ? Also on Tech Life this week: An AI tool designed to pro...
Oct 15, 2024•26 min
