Tech Life

Growing up in the age of AI

Sep 15, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

AI is developing rapidly. What should parents and children make of it all? And how can young people navigate school and future careers when AI is becoming increasingly important? We speak to an expert who has written a new book about these issues. Also this week: we find out how one piece of health tech is helping scientists uncover disease-fighting data in menstrual blood. And satellite imaging is used by conservationists in Indonesia to protect the habitat of a rare species of orangutan. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: A female school pupil sits at a laptop in a computer lab. She is wearing headphones. Credit: Getty Images)

The copyright extortionists

Sep 8, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

Lots of people make a living from social media posts. But some have been targeted by an international extortion scheme. It involves a flood of false copyright infringement claims. It only stops if the extorter is paid. Imran Rahman-Jones has the story. Also this week: could AI help to spot wrong-way driving on Ireland's major roads? And we bring you the latest titles and tech on show at Gamescom in Germany. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: Silhouettes of mobile phone users are seen next to a screen projection of Instagram's logo. Credit: Reuters)

What if AI doesn’t speak your language?

Sep 1, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

English is the most widely-used language online. Internet material helps to train AI tools. So where does that leave people whose native language barely features on the web? We find out about a project helping AI to work in more of the world’s languages. Also this week: regulating tech might sound about as appealing as a trip to the dentist. But, like your check-up, it is important. With Europe and the United States taking different approaches, we’ll ask who gets to set the rules, and what that means for the rest of us. And there’s a growing range of technology aimed at older people. We’ll look at some of the products out there, and ask how useful they really are. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: A young woman holds a smartphone to her mouth while sitting at a table.

Unlocking tech breakthroughs

Aug 25, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

ARIA is the UK's research and development funding agency that's built to unlock new scientific and technological developments. We speak to ARIA's new boss about their work. Also this week: the tech that's helping disabled racing drivers to achieve their dreams. And the pros and cons of making AI-generated complaints. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: An illustration of a light bulb, representing creative thoughts and ideas. Two human hands attempt to grasp the image. Credit: Getty Images)

Can AI tackle aviation’s climate problem?

Aug 18, 2026 · 26:28 · Relayed

Cloudy lines in the sky, caused by aircraft engines, are called contrails. They're harmful to the environment. Now a project is underway, using AI, to reduce the amount generated. It's called Operation Blue Skies, and we speak to Google about their involvement. Also this week: we look at three very different approaches taken by manufacturers to help children and adults have a healthy relationship with mobile phones. And AI detectors - how do they work? Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: A large four engine passenger jet flies at high altitude. The sky is blue, and the jet engines are emitting white cloudy trails, known as contrails. Credit: Getty Images)

School deepfake ransoms

Aug 11, 2026 · 26:38 · Relayed

For many schools, it’s normal to post pictures of their own pupils online, either celebrating events or for marketing. But these photos could also be taken by criminals and used to make distressing deepfake AI images. We speak to the founder of a company which says it has a solution. Also on the programme, the incredible ways graphene can augment our senses – including to smell for diseases. And the student with dyslexia who invented his own tech to help him through his course. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones (Image: A child places a metal pin impression toy over their face, so they cannot be identified. Credit: Getty Images)

The future of flying?

Aug 4, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

The transition from petrol to electric cars is well underway. But why are most aircraft in the skies still burning jet fuel? We look at new developments in electric aviation. Also this week: keeping children safe online - a leading international child charity talks to Tech Life. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: An all-electric CX300 aircraft from BETA Technologies takes part in a demonstration flight in Scotland. It is a small white aircraft, flying at low altitude. The propeller can be seen at the rear of the fuselage. Credit: Loganair/BETA Technologies)

Understanding AI Agents

Jul 28, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

AI agents carry out tasks autonomously on behalf of users. But what are they capable of, and what do we need to know about them? With AI agents in the news, we speak to an expert. Also this week: can AI make the process of recruiting employees better? And we find out about the campaign to teach AI how to represent people with limb loss. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: In the foreground, a hand holds a smartphone. The screen displays an AI Agent, with various task options available. The background is blurry and coloured blue. Credit: Getty Images)

Smell the future

Jul 21, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

The nose of a dog is incredibly sensitive. And odour contains information. With the help of AI, electronic 'noses' are being used to sniff out complex odours, including diseases. Chris Vallance visits a company developing the technology. Also this week: Shiona McCallum is in Paris to see the tech that can help us understand sleep. And Liv McMahon accompanies Chris on a walk in a park. There, they try one of many bird identification apps that are proving a hit, especially with younger users. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: A photo of a cute mixed breed dog with black fur. It is sitting down, looking up at the camera. Its nose is prominent in the foreground. Credit: Getty Images)

Meet the humanoid robots performing surgery

Jul 14, 2026 · 26:28 · Relayed

Humanoid robots have successfully performed surgery in an operating theatre for the first time. They were remotely controlled by surgeons. An expert involved talks to Tech Life. Also this week: the man who invented the infinite scroll tells us his latest thoughts on social media. And how do you stop big cargo ships pumping greenhouse gases into the air, as they move our goods around the world? We hear about a carbon capture solution. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: Two human-shaped robots stand holding equipment, and perform surgery in an operating theatre. Credit: University of California San Diego)

Too young to scroll?

Jul 7, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

What is a good age to give a child a smartphone? A community in Ireland might have the answer. In Greystones there's a voluntary agreement to wait until secondary school age. We hear from the school principal who leads the "It Takes A Village" initiative, and a local parent. Also this week: a woman tells Shiona McCallum how surviving a late-night attack inspired her to develop a wearable safety device. And AI was let loose to run a cafe in Sweden. Find out what happened next. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: A small group of boys and girls look at their smartphones. Credit: Getty Images)

What happens when health information is shadow banned?

Jun 30, 2026 · 26:28 · Relayed

We look at an issue known as shadow banning. What is it? How does it work? And could it be affecting health education messages for women and young girls? Also this week: we're feeling nostalgic about the discs that hold our favourite video games. And Shiona McCallum speaks to the founder of the Global Gaming League. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: A young sports woman relaxes after a workout. She is lying on a yoga mat, looking at her smartphone. Credit: Getty Images)

Viva technology!

Jun 23, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

Shiona McCallum visits a huge technology show in Paris. There, she finds some of the latest kit that could be in your home or workplace before too long. And we're talking about data centres. They are central to our modern online lives. But not everyone thinks they are great. Shiona speaks to the head of a big global data centre company about some of the challenges facing the industry. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: Shiona McCallum tries on some wearable tech at VivaTech in Paris. Credit: BBC)

ChatGPT prompt generates disturbing images

Jun 16, 2026 · 26:30 · Relayed

A group of cybersecurity researchers found a prompt which gets past ChatGPT’s guardrails and causes it to generate some disturbing images. We unpack what this tells us about the way AI is trained, and how it could be exploited. Also on the show, after a recent episode about potholes, we were contacted by the UK’s ministry of transport. We speak to their chief scientific adviser about potholes and the future of transport. And what is a quantum diamond magnetometer? We speak to the company which has just put one into space – in order to measure where magnetic north really is. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones (Image: A phone with the white and black ChatGPT logo on it. In the background is green Matrix-style code. Credit: Getty Images)

Tackling lithium battery fires on planes

Jun 9, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

When we fly we love to take our gadgets with us. But the lithium batteries that power them can catch fire. We find out about a new campaign urging us to pack with safety in mind. Also this week: the BBC's Lily Jamali visits an international competition for new AI applications in San Francisco. And protecting Africa's endangered wildlife is an increasingly high-tech business - a new scheme aims to give conservation workers the latest skills. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: A man is in an airport lounge. He is charging his smartphone with a portable charger, which is resting on a suitcase. Credit: Getty Images)

Microsoft's big quantum bet

Jun 2, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

Microsoft unveils a new quantum chip. It's a big moment for the company, as its quantum programme has faced criticism. Is the tech giant's strategy finally paying off? And when will this chip deliver practical quantum computing? The BBC's Technology Editor, Zoe Kleinman, interviews Microsoft's executive vice president for quantum. Also this week: what new tech can soccer fans expect at the World Cup? Shiona McCallum reports from FIFA headquarters in Switzerland. And a leading critic of AI hype returns to Tech Life. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: A hand is seen holding the new Majorana 2 quantum chip from Microsoft. The chip is gold-coloured. It is so large that it is the same size as the hand. Credit: Microsoft)

Teaching in the AI world

May 26, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

We speak to Google about the introduction of artificial intelligence into classroom learning, and what they think this will mean for teachers and pupils. Also this week: Shiona McCallum reports on a new artificial limb which is making a big difference to the life of one man who has a very personal story to tell. And find out about the engineering technology that's being used to check the heart health of unborn babies as they grow in the womb. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: A female teacher sits at a classroom desk with a female high school pupil looking at a laptop screen. Credit: Getty Images)

Myth or mythos: Is the AI cyber threat real?

May 19, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

From fears that a powerful new AI could supercharge hacking, to the ransomware gangs holding our data hostage, we talk to a former FBI expert about the latest cyber threats. Also in Tech Life this week: we hear from a listener who is using dermatology tech to educate schoolchildren on the importance of staying safe in the sun. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: Numerous computer screens are displaying green-coloured code and a finger pointing at a smartphone screen. Credit: Getty Images)

The AI pothole hunter

May 12, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

Drivers and cyclists know the dangers of potholes and broken road signs. A Swedish company is fitting vehicles with cameras, and using AI to spot potential problems and defects. We speak to the CEO to find out how it works. Also in Tech Life this week: some think the internet's business model is obsolete. We talk to a big tech leader on what might replace it. And a young entrepreneur, who learned to code without a computer, tells us about his AI teaching app that will work without the internet. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: Deep potholes have formed on a tarmac road. They are deep enough to catch rainwater. A car is about to drive over them. Credit: Getty Images)

Could this tech help millions of us sleep better?

May 5, 2026 · 26:31 · Relayed

An anti-snoring device is being trialled as a potential solution to sleep apnoea, a condition which affects millions and can have wide-ranging consequences on daily life. We speak to the team behind the trial. Also on the programme, two health tech entrepreneurs whose personal experiences informed their products: A man who had a heart attack at 44 and now works to help reduce hospital recovery times, and a woman who lost a close family member to breast cancer and is working to help inform women in Pakistan to spot the signs and get help. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producers: Tom Quinn and Imran Rahman-Jones (Image: A man asleep in bed with a black boomerang-shaped device attached to his neck. Credit: Zeus Sleeps)

The workers in the engine room of big tech

Apr 28, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

We look at revelations about outsourced tech workers in Kenya, and try to find out why more than a thousand of them have been made redundant. Also this week: are you getting the best out of artificial intelligence? Could changing "how" you communicate with AI make a difference? We speak to an author and put his recommendations to an AI test. And we hear from a company turning lamp-posts into data centres. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: The words "Meta AI" are displayed on a smartphone screen. The phone is resting on a laptop keyboard. Credit: Reuters)

A hologram to remember: Pam and Bill’s love story

Apr 21, 2026 · 26:27 · Relayed

Pam Cronrath tells her deeply personal story of creating a lifelike speaking hologram of her husband, Bill, after he passed away. Pam wanted to honour a promise she'd made to Bill, for a "super wake". And so Bill's hologram appeared in front of two hundred guests at the event, and surprised them with a verbal greeting. Also this week: if you've had a knee operation and have a smart device monitoring your health, the doctor might want to see you now. And virtual glucose monitoring tech for diabetics - with the help of AI. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: Pam Cronrath is standing beside the hologram of her husband, Bill. Credit: George Johnsen)

Sharing the road with driverless cars

Apr 14, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

Chris Vallance finds out about research to help self-driving cars communicate with other road users. Hear what happened when he came into contact with a virtual vehicle! Also this week: you've probably seen the app on TV news recently, but how does MarineTraffic know which ships are doing what in the Strait of Hormuz? And Shiona McCallum checks out changes to Roblox age checks for children. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: Illustration of a driverless car on a main road approaching a pedestrian crossing, with people walking in front of and around the side of the car and sensors detectimg its surroundings. Credit: Getty Images)

The problem with AI

Apr 7, 2026 · 26:28 · Relayed

Can we trust AI? Its answers are not always correct. And it only knows what it's been trained on, so some of its responses can contain bias. Tech experts offer us some solutions. Also this week: digital twinning is helping the restoration of a three hundred year old palace. And the joy of mundane video gaming! Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: A person is typing on a laptop computer. Digital icons for AI, ticks (checkmarks) and warning signs float above the keyboard. Credit: Getty Images)

Putting polluters in court

Mar 31, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

Climate change is making devastating extreme weather more common. Tech Life's Yasmin Morgan-Griffiths explores the science that could help communities take polluters to court. Also this week: we look at whether the boom in AI is causing a boom in electronic waste. And as astronauts head back to the Moon, we meet a veteran NASA space robot that's on a mission to return home. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: Smoke billows from a chimney at a coal-fired power station in Eastern Europe. The light of the sun is obscured by the dense dark smoke clouds. Credit: Reuters)

How will AI help my doctor?

Mar 24, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

We discuss how AI could help health professionals work better, detect diseases earlier and even change the way people around the world look after themselves. Also this week: Shiona McCallum interviews a businesswoman who is trying to make female health tech more accessible and affordable. And we have a good news story that originated on the darker side of the internet. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: A photo of a female doctor sitting at a desk in a hospital lab. She is using AI technology on a laptop computer. Credit: Getty Images)

Screen time ‘rewiring our brains’

Mar 17, 2026 · 26:30 · Relayed

We dig through the evidence on the effect of screen time on babies and young children, with the help of some parents and experts. And after hearing our story of a woman who got her voice back with the help of AI, a listener got in touch to tell us his own moving story of hearing his father’s voice for the first time in 50 years. Producers: Imran Rahman-Jones and Vuyelo Ndlovu Presenter: Shiona McCallum (Image: A baby holds a smartphone, looking at the screen while lying in bed. Credit: Getty Images.)

I pretend to be OnlyFans models online

Mar 10, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

Behind some OnlyFans models making money from chatting to paying subscribers is the unseen human labour people who pretend to be the models and chat on their behalf. We speak to a woman in the Philippines about her jobs as a “chatter’. Also on the programme, scientists using AI to help advance their research. And the White House has been cutting real footage from the war with Iran with clips from video games. We analyse their strategy. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones

Quantum computers are coming - do we need ethical guidelines?

Mar 3, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

Quantum computing promises revolutionary new discoveries. But tech revolutions can be messy. Is now the time to start thinking about how we ethically use quantum machines? Also, we find out how glass can be turned into useful data storage that will last for thousands of years. And what can science fiction tell us about our spacefaring future? Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: An image of a quantum computer inside a high-tech facility. The computer has metallic silver and gold-coloured tubing to assist in cooling. Credit: Getty Images)

Hearing my voice again totally blew my mind

Feb 24, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

AI tech is giving people their lost voices back. We chat to Yvonne Johnson, who has motor neurone disease. She's lost much of her ability to speak. But artificial intelligence is helping Yvonne to be heard again, with her own voice. Also this week: we discuss AI and the price of memory chips with a big computer manufacturer. And video gaming is booming in Africa. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: A photo of Yvonne Johnson. She is smiling directly at the camera. Credit: Portrait Of A Voice.)

Engaging chatbots

Feb 17, 2026 · 26:28 · Relayed

We chat to NVIDIA about AI chat and how to make it sound more human. Explore making and breaking an emotional connection with AI. And new tech is helping stroke survivors. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: A digital screen shows an icon of a chatbot with text inviting users to ask it anything and a finger pressing on the screen. Credit: Getty Images)

Would you wear smart glasses?

Feb 10, 2026 · 26:28 · Relayed

Is this the year when smart glasses become mainstream? Whether you need spectacles for your vision, or wear sunglasses, tech firms are hoping you'll buy their latest devices. Tech Life's Alasdair Keane has road tested some of the latest wearables on the market. From smart glasses to smart bricks! It's been a childhood favourite for decades, and now Lego is packing its colourful plastic with lights, sensors and sound synthesisers. Shiona McCallum plays with the new tech. And we hear from a Hong Kong tech company that's developing AI for neglected languages, starting with Cantonese. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: A photo of Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta. He is wearing dark-rimmed smart glasses. Credit: Reuters.)

Driverless cars in the fast lane

Feb 3, 2026 · 26:28 · Relayed

Autonomous taxis are already part of everyday life in some cities. What will it be like when self-driving car tech gets up to full speed ? And we find out how scientists are using quantum sensing technology to peer inside soldiers' brains on the firing range. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: A Zoox robotaxi containing passengers is stationary on a road. The skyscrapers of San Francisco are in the background. Credit: Zoox, Inc.)

China's AI progress

Jan 27, 2026 · 26:29 · Relayed

The launch of China's DeepSeek AI tool a year ago sent shockwaves through US markets and Silicon Valley. But now Chinese AI tech is being used by more and more US companies. Our North America Technology Correspondent, Lily Jamali, tells us about it. Also this week: shoppers in Denmark are using mobile phone apps to boycott some goods from overseas. And we road-test an exoskeleton taking the physical effort out of long outdoor walks. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: An image of a mobile phone displaying the DeepSeek name and logo on the screen. In the background are flags of China and the United States of America. Credit: Reuters.)

What's new in health tech?

Jan 20, 2026 · 26:28 · Relayed

We all want to stay fit and healthy. But how can technology help ? Shiona McCallum discusses new health tech on display at the world's biggest consumer electronics trade show. And if you own cryptocurrency - beware. Thieves could be targeting you. The BBC's Cyber Correspondent, Joe Tidy, joins us to explain more. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: A photo of Shiona McCallum wearing an LED face mask. The room is dark and the transparent face mask covers Shiona's face. The light emitting from the mask gives Shiona's face a red glow. Credit: BBC.)

When will a robot do my laundry?

Jan 13, 2026 · 26:32 · Relayed

How close are we to humanoid robots in the home? A flurry of new robots, designed to look like us, have been revealed recently, with many in Silicon Valley excited that this is the next big leap in AI. But many humanoid robots still struggle with the basics, such as picking up a glass or watering a plant. The BBC’s cyber correspondent Joe Tidy meets some of these robots and asks: Will we really let them into our homes in the next few years? Presenter: Chris Vallance and Joe Tidy Producers: Tom Quinn and Imran Rahman-Jones (Photo: Joe Tidy looks at a white humanoid robot wearing a red baseball cap, looking back at him, inside a domestic kitchen setting)

What to expect from tech in 2026

Jan 6, 2026 · 26:28 · Relayed

For our first episode of 2026, Tech Life looks forward to the rest of the year, and beyond. What are the latest consumer gadgets on display at a huge electronics trade show in Las Vegas? How will assistive technology, designed to help people with disabilities, change this year? What should we be looking out for in the world of gaming? And we ask a futurologist to predict how tech will help us buy things from retailers over the next decade. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producers: Tom Quinn & Imran Rahman-Jones (Image: A computer-generated image of a circuit board, with “2026” shown in neon numbers in the centre. Credit: Getty Images)

Tech Life's look back at 2025

Dec 30, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

A selection of our favourite stories in 2025. From bringing back extinct species to AI at a royal palace. And you tell us about the tech that's made a difference to your life. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producers: Tom Quinn and Imran Rahman-Jones (Image: A young woman sits at a desk. A laptop computer is open on the desk. The number 2025 is projected in front of her, and she points to it with her index finger. Credit: Getty Images)

Launching a commercial space station

Dec 23, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

A company called Vast hopes to put Haven-1 into orbit in 2026. If successful, it'll be the world's first commercial space station. We speak to the company's CEO, Max Haot. Also on Tech Life this week: find out about robots in Japan that will help people cope with dementia. And the local language avatar providing growing tips to farmers in Africa. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: A future illustration of the commercial space station Haven-1 in orbit above Planet Earth. It is docked with a Dragon spacecraft. Credit: Vast.)

Chatbots changing minds

Dec 16, 2025 · 26:32 · Relayed

A study found AI chatbots can persuade us with fake facts. We explore what this means for politics. Then we speak to author of The Web Beneath the Waves, Samanth Subramanian, about the importance of undersea cables. Plus: The scientists working together with nuns to save salamanders in a lake in Mexico. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Editors: Monica Soriano & Tom Singleton (Image: A colourful composite of a woman with her chin resting on her hands, looking confused. Behind her is an illustration of a laptop. Credit: Getty Images)

The darker side of streaming

Dec 9, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

Twitch streamer QTCinderella talks about the unwelcome attention she receives in real life. Shiona McCallum reports on robotics for offshore wind farms. And polar rover tech. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: A photo of Twitch streamer QTCinderella attending TwitchCon 2024 in San Diego, USA. She is standing in front of a TwitchCon backdrop and logo. She is smiling at the camera. Credit: Getty Images.)

The secret ways AI is used to write hit songs

Dec 2, 2025 · 26:31 · Relayed

We’re all about AI today. As AI-generated music tops US charts, a musician explains how he uses AI in the songwriting process. A fashion house explains how they use it to help sizing issues. And with the festive season approaching, there is a warning over its use in children’s toys. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Studio manager: Nolwenn Movallali (Image: Manon Dave wearing a baseball cap, a white T-shirt and jeans, sitting on a stage wearing a head mic. He is gesturing with his hands mid-sentence. Credit: Getty Images.)

Should we allow AI into the classroom?

Nov 25, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

Does AI have a role in education? Some private schools in the United States are swapping traditional teacher-led classroom lessons for laptops and personalised apps. We speak to pupils and the co-founder of the school network embracing AI-assisted learning. Also in this edition: We're lifting the lid on online scams around the world. Hear how one woman was conned out of a large sum of money, and an expert tells us what we should be wary of online. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: Rear view of a large group of high school students in a computer lab. They have laptops on their desks. Credit: Getty Images)

Living the digital nomad life

Nov 18, 2025 · 26:28 · Relayed

We look at how tech and visas have freed some employees from their desktops, allowing them to continue their work from other parts of the world. They're called digital nomads. Also in this edition: Shiona McCallum speaks to a victim of online bullying in Kenya, and finds out about a charity trying to help. And tech startups in Finland are turning to Slush. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: A photo of a laptop near a swimming pool on a sunny day. Credit: Getty Images)

The King and AI

Nov 11, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

Seven pioneers of artificial intelligence gathered at St James's Palace to receive the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, presented by King Charles. Zoe Kleinman was there. In this week's edition you can hear Zoe talk to the 'godmother' of AI, Professor Fei-Fei Li, and Jensen Huang, the head of the world's most valuable company, Nvidia. Also on Tech Life this week: how useful can robots be in space ? And the racing cars revving up in Abu Dhabi without any drivers onboard. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: A photo of King Charles at the prize ceremony in London. Credit: Reuters)

Digital parenting

Nov 4, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

We look at a particular use of tech in family life - using trackers to know where your children are, or your partner, or other relatives. What are the safety and privacy issues ? Also on Tech Life: Shiona McCallum speaks to the BBC's cyber correspondent, Joe Tidy, about a gang of Russian hackers known as Evil Corps. Who are they, and what have they done ? Joe is co-hosting a new podcast about them. And a young engineer from Kenya has developed an app for deaf people, so they can read sign language on a screen while people speak to them in real-time. It's just earned him a prestigious award. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: A photo of a mother and teenage daughter at home, using a laptop and smartphone. Credit: Getty Images)

Web-scraping bots

Oct 28, 2025 · 26:28 · Relayed

We look at the impact data-scraping robots from AI firms are having on the online encyclopedia used by hundreds of millions of people. Also in this edition of Tech Life: if you work in the fashion industry, if you are a fashion model, are you worried about AI ? A lot are, and we find out why. And how do we prevent children from seeing online adult content ? Many parts of the world are requiring sites to verify the ages of their users. Now the biggest adult site argues that we need a better system. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: A photo illustration of the Wikipedia logo displayed on a smartphone screen. Credit: Getty Images)

Red lines for AI

Oct 21, 2025 · 26:28 · Relayed

More than 200 prominent individuals and 70 organisations want international agreement on 'do not cross' red lines for artificial intelligence, to prevent risks to humanity. We speak to Stuart Russell, professor of computer science at the University of California in Berkeley, who is backing the call. He spells out some of the potential risks that AI could pose to us all, and says global agreement on AI red lines is the solution. Also on Tech Life this week: We look at how artificial intelligence is having an impact on the legal profession. In Ghana, holograms are helping to spread breast cancer health advice. And Shiona McCallum speaks to a young tech YouTuber in Dubai. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: An illustration of AI letters against a red backdrop. Credit: Wong

Drones with Tasers

Oct 14, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

We speak to the founder and CEO of Axon Enterprise, maker of the Taser, about the tech's future. And the future includes drones armed with Tasers. Also in this edition of Tech Life: why an underwater glider is circumnavigating the globe, gathering data on the oceans. And find out why the quantum computing revolution could arrive sooner than expected. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: A close-up photo of a Taser being aimed. Credit: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)

Class action

Oct 7, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

A class action lawsuit is underway in Italy against Meta and TikTok. Lawyers say they want to protect younger children from social media harm. We look at the issues. Also in Tech Life this week, we have another story about social media. It's about farmers in Africa, so-called agri-influencers, and how they're cultivating an online movement. Shiona McCallum tests a new maritime AI communication system. And a Japanese tech company is trying to eradicate malaria using drones. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: A child uses a smartphone. Credit: Getty Images)

Pinterest boss on online safety

Sep 30, 2025 · 26:42 · Relayed

An exclusive interview with Bill Ready, boss of social media platform Pinterest. Plus – what is actually stolen in a cyber-attack, the end of dial-up and are AI pets the future? Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones (Image: A phone with the red Pinterest logo on it. Credit: Getty Images)

Can we trust AI in health?

Sep 23, 2025 · 26:30 · Relayed

We hear from experts on the pros and cons of using AI in the healthcare world. Plus ex-Minecraft YouTuber Stampy, AKA Joseph Garrett, on turning to game design. But are console games getting too expensive? And the students from India whose innovative renewable energy tech has won a prestigious award. This week's Tech Life was presented by Shiona McCallum and produced by Imran Rahman-Jones. Our editor is Monica Soriano. (Image: A stethoscope with a small screen on it, shown a person's heart rate at 76 BPM. A hand hold it to a person's chest.)

Keeping connected

Sep 16, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

This week we're talking about connectivity. How to keep the internet running when international data cables are damaged by earthquakes or war. And are light beams a solution ? Also this week: Satellites and AI are being used to count migrating wildebeest in Africa. We hear how tech is challenging long-standing estimates of animal numbers. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: A photo of many fibre optic cables emitting bright light against a dark background. Credit: Getty Images)

Sailing into stormy seas

Sep 9, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

A fleet of small robotic sailboats, packed with sensors, are ready to sail into the path of storms, to gather data on developing hurricanes. We find out how they'll do it. The data will help experts predict where a hurricane might reach land, giving people time to prepare and evacuate. Also on Tech Life this week: we're at Europe's biggest tech show to find out what the next big thing might be. We speak to a Tech Life listener in Zambia who is teaching children about robotics and coding. And rented batteries, charged with solar energy, could offer a clean energy alternative in Africa. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: A photo of a small robotic C-Star sailboat developed by British company Oshen. Credit: Oshen)

Talking translation

Sep 2, 2025 · 26:28 · Relayed

We test the AI tech that offers live language translation on the telephone. India bans online money games. And AI in the workplace - a global study looks at who uses it, and why. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: A photo of a young woman speaking into a smartphone. Credit: pocketlight/Getty Images)

What happens when you lose your social media?

Aug 26, 2025 · 26:30 · Relayed

For months, we have been hearing from people all over the world who say they have been unfairly banned from their Facebook and Instagram accounts. Meta has, so far, said nothing publicly about what’s going on. Plus, we chart the rise and fall of an American tech giant, and the author of Empire of AI, Karen Hao, tells us what she thinks the industry gets wrong. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: An illustration of a mobile phone with barbed wire surrounding it. Credit: Getty Images)

Tech and performance at the Edinburgh Festivals

Aug 19, 2025 · 26:31 · Relayed

A special from Edinburgh, where art and performance meet tech with spectacular results. Including a magician with robot assistants, an AI improv group and an electrifying dance act. Every August, Edinburgh becomes the centre of the arts world, with half a million visitors and thousands of acts descending on the Scottish capital. Among these are performers using some pioneering tech, asking questions about the role of AI in our lives and even a choreographer stimulating his dancers’ muscles with electricity. Tell us about your own mini-adventure with tech by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or sending us a Whatsapp voice note to +44 330 1230 320. Presenter and producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: A man in a white shirt a grey waistcoat, on stage with a humanoid robot head.

Dealing with cyber attacks

Aug 12, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

Singapore is experiencing an increase in cyber threats, and its critical infrastructure was targeted in a cyber attack. We speak to the country's Commissioner of Cybersecurity. Also in Tech Life this week: we hear the real voice of a fake spokesperson for a synthetic band. And presenter Zoe Kleinman has a mini tech adventure involving social media and a metal detectorist. You can contact us by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or send us a Whatsapp message or voice memo on +44 330 1230 320. Please include your name and where you live. Presenter: Zoe Kleinman Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano Image: Hands are held over a computer keyboard as screens display computer data. Credit: Getty Images.

What happened to DeepSeek?

Aug 5, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

China’s DeepSeek took the AI world by storm this year. Where is it now? Plus the AI doomsday scenario capturing the imagination of the tech world. How seriously should we take it? And the future of driving with Volvo’s tech lead. Presenter: Graham Fraser Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: A hand holding a phone with the blue and white Deepseek whale logo on it. In the background is the red flag of China. Credit: Getty Images)

Your AI servant

Jul 29, 2025 · 26:28 · Relayed

Imagine a world in which AI servants are at your beck and call. They work for you, shop for you, book your travel and help organise your family life. It's called Agentic AI. And it's coming. A senior figure at Amazon tells us how they see AI agents changing our lives. Also this week on Tech Life: Kenya's plastic waste problem is being turned into a 3D-printed teaching solution. And a charity is helping to save animals from extinction by freezing their cells. We enjoy reading your messages about tech and Tech Life. Please get in touch by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or send us a Whatsapp message or voice memo on +44 330 1230 320. Please include your name and where you live. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano Image: A futuristic illustration of a human head c

Can sewage make tech cleaner ?

Jul 22, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

Thousands of tonnes of excess sewage, manure, food waste and paper sludge are being pumped hundreds of meters underground in the USA, where it will stay for centuries, preventing greenhouse gases from being released. Microsoft is backing the method to help offset carbon emissions. We speak to the co-founder and CEO of Vaulted Deep. Also on Tech Life: We sound out some in the music industry about the impact of generative AI. And a high altitude Tech Life listener tells us about the time his tech went wrong. We enjoy reading your messages about Tech Life. Please get in touch by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or send us a Whatsapp message or voice memo on +44 330 1230 320. Please include your name and where you live. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano Image: Slu

Quantum question time

Jul 15, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

We step inside a quantum computer lab to answer your questions about technology that promises to revolutionise everything from particle physics to fertiliser production. Also this week on Tech Life: lots of us upload and download large quantities of data, and the expectation is that the demand for data will only increase in the future. How will our current networks cope ? The solution travels at the speed of light. And how do you teach AI to speak in different accents ? We find out. We enjoy reading your messages about Tech Life. Please get in touch by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or send us a Whatsapp message or voice memo on +44 330 1230 320. Please include your name and where you live. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano Image: The word "Quantum" is illum

AIs on the road

Jul 8, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

This week on Tech Life, we speak to the company behind an AI safe driving device that's fitted to thousands of delivery vans and fleet vehicles around the world. Using cameras and an onboard AI system, it assesses how safely a vehicle is being driven. And it warns both the driver, and their manager, if it spots a serious safety risk inside or outside the vehicle. Also this week, we find out about cargo drones parachuting humanitarian aid into parts of central Africa. And what can children tell us about AI ? We enjoy reading your messages about Tech Life. Please get in touch by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or send us a Whatsapp message or voice memo on +44 330 1230 320. You can use the same contact details to send us any questions you've ever wanted to have answered about quantum computers.

The future of the internet is up for debate

Jul 1, 2025 · 26:28 · Relayed

The way the internet will operate in the future is being discussed at the moment. Will it remain as it is now, or could governments become more involved and take more control ? We speak to ICANN, one of the technical institutions which help to keep the internet functioning, about their concerns. Also this week: the man behind one of the most popular websites in the world talks to Tech Life. And we hear from the award-winning teenage inventor of a toxic dust detector. We enjoy reading your messages about the one item of tech you simply can't do without. If you want to tell us about your must-have piece of tech, please get in touch by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or send us a Whatsapp message or voice memo on +44 330 1230 320. You can use the same contact details to send us any questions you'

Digital twin cities

Jun 24, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

What are the advantages of creating a digital mirror of a city – or an entire island? We speak to a company making digital twins to create simulations of the real world. Then we hear from a real set of twins about their award-winning carbon capture project. And the company sending tiny satellites into space to help environmental researchers. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: A graphic of a person's hand holding a mini city on its fingertips. Credit: Getty Images.)

Tackling illegal mining with tech

Jun 17, 2025 · 26:28 · Relayed

This week on Tech Life, we're looking at the problems caused by illegal gold mining in Ghana. We'll hear how drones, AI and GPS trackers are being used to tackle the trade. Also this week, Meta goes to court as it battles ads for so-called Nudifying apps. Is "I don't know" the solution to AI chatbot hallucinations ? And the pay-as-you-cook stove that's winning awards and improving health in Africa. We enjoy reading your messages about the one item of tech you simply can't do without. If you want to tell us about your must-have piece of tech, please get in touch by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or send us a Whatsapp message or voice memo on +44 330 1230 320. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano Image: A photo of two gold miners in Ghana. Credit: Christian Thomp

China's booming EV industry

Jun 10, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

We hear from inside China on the remarkably fast electric vehicle transition going on there, as the country moves away from petrol and diesel-powered cars and lorries. BBC Transport Correspondent Nick Marsh reports on the latest EV technology that's making Chinese brands popular and affordable. Also on Tech Life this week, who has the fastest computer in the world ? And what is it used for ? An expert tells us everything we need to know about supercomputers. And we find out about a new piece of tech that can provide electricity, transport and clean drinking water in disaster zones - using solar power. We enjoy reading your messages about the one item of tech you simply can't do without. If you want to tell us about your must-have piece of tech, please get in touch by emailing techlife@bbc.

Data and me

Jun 3, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

What happens when a company we trust with our most personal data gets into financial trouble ? We hear from a woman who trusted a US company with her genetic information. Also on Tech Life this week, will there be enough electricity for the demands of artificial intelligence ? The International Energy Agency tells us about the challenges of powering the AI boom. And we find out how to grow an island in The Maldives. The tech involved could protect low-lying territories from erosion and rising sea levels. We enjoy reading your messages about the one item of tech you simply can't do without. If you want to tell us about your must-have piece of tech, please get in touch by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or send us a Whatsapp message or voice memo on +44 330 1230 320. Presenter: Chris Vallance Pr

The digital afterlife business

May 27, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

This week we're looking at a growing digital industry which allows people to interact - in a way - with the likeness or the voice of someone they care about who has passed away. It's not science fiction, and it does involve AI chatbots. Also on Tech Life this week, we'll be finding out about two tech solutions to the problem of food which goes to waste. Tech Life's Alasdair Keane explores the challenge of making a Formula 1 racing car more eco friendly. And what is digital art ? We enjoy reading your messages about the one item of tech you simply can't do without. If you want to tell us about your must-have piece of tech, please get in touch by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or send us a Whatsapp message or voice memo on +44 330 1230 320. Presenter: Graham Fraser Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: M

Protecting your invention

May 20, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

This week we're learning about patents - what they are, and who wants one. And by analysing the global demand for patents, we can see future trends in tech. Also in this edition of Tech Life, what are doctors and patients around the world saying about the use of artificial intelligence in hospitals ? And we'll be finding out about Google's latest injection of AI into online search. We enjoy reading the messages being sent in about the one item of tech you simply can't do without. If you want to tell us about your must-have piece of tech, please get in touch by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or send us a Whatsapp message or voice memo on +44 330 1230 320. Presenter: Zoe Kleinman Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: A photo of a woman with a lightbulb sticker on her forehead, indi

The impact of online abuse

May 13, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

An international study looks at the online experiences of young people from marginalised groups, including sex workers, gay and transgender people, and people living with HIV. It concludes they are facing a surge in online abuse. We speak to Phong from Vietnam about his experience, then hear about the study from the lead researcher. Also on Tech Life this week, find out how a drone company in Ghana has benefited from US foreign aid cuts. And how could catching the bus help improve your posture ? We enjoy reading the messages being sent in about the one item of tech you simply can't do without. If you want to tell us about your must-have piece of tech, please get in touch by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or send us a Whatsapp message or voice memo on +44 330 1230 320. Presenter: Imran Rahman-

What you don’t see

May 6, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

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 Vallance Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: A blurred out picture with a graphic of an eye and the text imprinted on it: "Sensitive content". Credit: Getty Images.)

Weighing the world's forests

Apr 29, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

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 of farmers. Tell us about the one item of tech that you simply can't do without – please get in touch by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or send us a Whatsapp message or voice memo on +44 330 1230 320. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: An illustration of the Bio

Talking dolphin

Apr 22, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

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. Tell us about the one item of tech that you simply can't do without – please get in touch by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or send us a Whatsapp message or voice memo on +44 330 1230 320. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: A photograph of Atlantic spotted dolphin

AI discrimination

Apr 15, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

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 that you use in your life everyday – please get in touch by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or send us a Whatsapp message or voice memo on +44 330 1230 320. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: A hand holds a magnifying glass with the word BIAS magnified on a whit

Beyond the tip of the iceberg

Apr 8, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

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 dirty examining rhino poo! You can tell us about the one item of tech that you use in your life everyday – please get in touch by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or send us a Whatsapp message or voice memo on +44 330 1230 320. Presenter: Imran Rahman-Jones Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano (Image:

Jamming and spoofing

Apr 1, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

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 by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or send us a Whatsapp on +44 330 1230 320. Presenter: Zoe Kleinman Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: An image of a Galileo navigation satellite. Credit: BBC)

Living life with a mind-reading chip

Mar 25, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

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 about the one bit of tech you use in your life everyday – get in touch by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or send us a Whatsapp on +44 330 1230 320. Presenter: Imran Rahman-Jones Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: A photograph of Noland Arbaugh attending a sporting event. Credit: Noland Ar

Archiving achievement

Mar 18, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

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 techlife@bbc.co.uk or send us a Whatsapp on +44 330 1230 320. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: Ex-US Air Force flight test engineer Jessica Peterson in the back seat of a T-38, taking a selfie video as the plane does an upside down roll. Credit: Getty Images)

Surviving digital banking outages

Mar 11, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

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: techlife@bbc.co.uk, or send us a text message or voice note on Whatsapp: +44 330 1230 320. Presenter: Graham Fraser Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: A woman's hand holds a mobile phone. A login window for online banking is on the screen. Credit: Torsten Asmus/Getty Images)

The doctor will see you now

Mar 4, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

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 searching for the answers. And what is it like working as a technology correspondent, reporting on the busy and ever-changing North America tech scene ? We chat to Lily Jamali who does exactly that for the BBC. We are always keen to hear from you. You can email us: techlife@bbc.co.uk, or send us a text

Could AI pick the next James Bond?

Feb 25, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

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 techlife@bbc.co.uk or send a Whatsapp to +44330 1230 320. Presented and produced by Imran Rahman-Jones. Our editor is Monica Soriano. (Image: Daniel Craig in a black tuxedo and bow tie, looking down the barrel of the camera. Credit: Getty Images.)

Human life under the oceans

Feb 18, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

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 virtual ? We are always keen to hear from you. You can email us: techlife@bbc.co.uk, or send us a text message or voice note on Whatsapp: +44 330 1230 320. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: An illustration of an underwater human habitat known as a Sentinel. Cre

Decoding the brain

Feb 11, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

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: techlife@bbc.co.uk, or send us a text message or voice note on Whatsapp: +44 330 1230 320. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: A photo of a female volunteer typing words onto a keyboard while her brain is being scanned. Credit: Meta)

China's AI world

Feb 4, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

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 techlife@bbc.co.uk 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 characters beneath. Credit: Getty Images.)

Not as dead as a dodo?

Jan 28, 2025 · 26:28 · Relayed

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: techlife@bbc.co.uk, or send us a text message or voice note on Whatsapp: +44 330 1230 320. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: An illustration of a dodo bird. Credit: DeAgostini Picture Library/Getty Images)

VPNs and India

Jan 21, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

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 taking a very long view of AI. We’re always keen to hear from you. You can email us: techlife@bbc.co.uk, or send us a text message or voice note on Whatsapp: +44 330 1230 320. Presenter: Zoe Kleinman Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: An illustration of Internet access via a VPN. A shie

Trust and verify

Jan 14, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

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 to hear from you. You can email us: techlife@bbc.co.uk, or send us a text message or voice note on Whatsapp at +44 330 1230 320. Presenter: Imran Rahman-Jones Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: A photo image of Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. Credit: Getty Images)

A glimpse into the future of tech

Jan 7, 2025 · 26:29 · Relayed

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 techlife@bbc.co.uk 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 against a blue sky. Credit: Getty Images.)

Tech Life looks forward to 2025

Dec 31, 2024 · 26:29 · Relayed

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.

Tech Life's look back at the year

Dec 24, 2024 · 26:29 · Relayed

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).

Does the robotaxi have a future?

Dec 17, 2024 · 26:29 · Relayed

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 techlife@bbc.co.uk, 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 attached to its exterior at an intersection in San Francisco. Credit: Getty Images)

Cyber warfare

Dec 10, 2024 · 26:29 · Relayed

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 techlife@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp us on +44 330 123 0320. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: A computer-generated, pixelated image of a globe with a neon blue padlock superimposed on top. Credit: Getty Images.)

How green is AI?

Dec 3, 2024 · 26:29 · Relayed

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. In the background are orange computer-generated geometric shapes. Credit: Steve Gerrard.)

Tiger trackers used to spy on women

Nov 26, 2024 · 26:28 · Relayed

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 techlife@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp us on +44 330 1230 320. Presenter: Alasdair Keane Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: A tiger among green foliage looking at the camera. Credit: Getty Images.)

Donald Trump’s robodogs

Nov 19, 2024 · 26:28 · Relayed

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 techlife@bbc.co.uk or sending us a Whatsapp on +44330 1230 320. Presenter: Zoe Kleinman Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: A picture of a Boston Dynamics dog, “Spot”. Credit: Reuters.)

The dangerous job of online moderating

Nov 12, 2024 · 26:29 · Relayed

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 techlife@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp us on +44330 1230 320. Presenter: Graham Fraser Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: A man in glasses looking at a screen, with writing digitally imposed in front of his face. Credit: Getty Images.)

Is this show fake?

Nov 5, 2024 · 26:28 · Relayed

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 techlife@bbc.co.uk or send a WhatsApp on +44 330 123 0320. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: An AI-generated head with letters coming out of its mouth. Credit: Getty Images.)

The fall of a global chip maker

Oct 29, 2024 · 26:29 · Relayed

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 techlife@bbc.co.uk. Or, send us a message or voice note on WhatsApp. Our number is +44 330 123 0320. Presenter: Zoe Kleinman Producer: Tom Quinn, Imran Rahman-Jones, Alasdair Keane Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: A close up of a computer chip. Credit: Getty Images)

Do you use artificial intelligence at work ?

Oct 22, 2024 · 26:29 · Relayed

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 futuristic representation of the letters "AI". Credit: Getty Images) Contact us: Tech Life would love to hear your stories, ideas and views about the programme. You can email us at techlife@bbc.co.uk or contact us via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 0320.