Tech Life

Latest Episodes:

Do you use artificial intelligence at work ? Oct 22, 2024

Show notes

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.

The minerals tech can't do without Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

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 protect athletes from online abuse during the Olympics - how well did it perform ? And what tech does an explorer take into the jungle ?

Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn

(Photo: An image of a human hand holding pure quartz crystals. Credit: Getty Images)

Big data and femtech Oct 08, 2024

Show notes

Tech Life is looking at big data - and how important it is to healthcare. Specifically, how it can help women's health. A femtech company in the United States is using monthly menstrual and hormone data gathered from thousands of women to gain new insights into the symptoms which lead-up to the menopause - the time in their lives when women's periods stop. We speak to the company's co-founder and CEO.

Also on Tech Life this week:

A global survey weighs up the influence of social media and AI on accurate news and information. And, are chatbots changing the way we search for information online ?

Presenter: Zoe Kleinman Producers: Imran Rahman-Jones and Tom Quinn

(Photo: A woman checks a health app on her smartphone. Credit: Getty Images)

The big business of online charity donations Oct 01, 2024

Show notes

How does a company make profit in the charity fundraising space? We speak to Tim Cadogan, CEO of online fundraising platform GoFundMe.

We hear about the solar-powered boats being used by indigenous communities in the Amazon.

And, it is 30 years of the infamous Comic Sans font.

We love hearing from you. Get in touch by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or send us a Whatsapp on +44330 123 0320.

Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Researcher: Laura Cress Editor: Monica Soriano

(Photo: A computer keyboard with a "donate" button and a love heart icon. Credit: Getty Images)

Will AI replace call centre workers? Sep 24, 2024

Show notes

It’s the ongoing question about AI – will it replace jobs or create new ones? We look at the argument from the point of view of call centre workers in the Philippines. Also on the programme, how Google Maps is tracking the changes in the built environment around the world. Plus – the small European city home to some of the most important music tech in the world.

Get in touch with Tech Life by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or sending us a Whatsapp on +44 330 1230 320.

Presenter: Chris Vallance Producers: Tom Quinn and Imran Rahman-Jones Editor: Monica Soriano

(Image: An animation of a robot wearing a headset and microphone. Credit: Getty Images)

Online maps Sep 17, 2024

Show notes

Online mapping - we find out how it can help humanitarian work around the world. Alasdair Keane tries on virtual reality goggles that are teaching students how to solve real-world problems. Meet the teams racing on water with battery-powered boats. And a professor wins a prize for an energy-saving invention he dreamed up in 1977.

Presenter: Alasdair Keane Producer: Tom Quinn

(Photo: An online map is displayed on a laptop screen. Credit: AndreyPopov/Getty Images)

X in Brazil Sep 10, 2024

Show notes

Tech Life speaks to some keen users of X in Brazil. What do they think of the ban imposed on the platform that was previously known as Twitter ? Have they moved to other social media, or have they found a way around the restrictions ?

Also on Tech Life this week:

We find out three things you should know about quantum mechanics. Why is it more difficult for big trucks to make the move from fossil fuels to cleaner electric power ? And AI in construction tech - we speak to the founder of a company harnessing artificial intelligence to help make sense of huge amounts of building industry paperwork.

Presenter: Alasdair Keane Producer: Tom Quinn

(Photo: The Brazilian flag is seen behind a phone screen displaying the X logo in this illustration photo. Credit: NurPhoto/Getty Images)

When civil war breaks out Sep 03, 2024

Show notes

We get a first-hand insight into how the war in Sudan has affected tech workers and companies there.

Also on Tech Life:

Old unwanted fishing nets are a real issue, for marine life and us here on dry land. One man has come up with a way of turning an environmental problem into useful 3D printed products.

And, we can see the sea. We can see the sky. But wouldn't it be great if we could see the wind as well? Well now we can!

Presenter: Graham Fraser Producer: Tom Quinn

(Photo: Smoke plumes billow from a fire at a lumber warehouse in southern Khartoum, Sudan, amidst ongoing fighting on June 7, 2023. Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

The voice cloning lawsuit Aug 27, 2024

Show notes

We hear from two voice over artists, based in New York City, who have filed a lawsuit against an AI company they claim stole their voices.

Also on Tech Life this week:

A device invented by Canadian university students is shaking up the milk business for small-scale dairy farmers in Africa. And an engineer tells us his robust plan to make tech easier to fix.

Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn

(Photo: An actress records her voice into a microphone. Credit: Andrey Popov/Getty Images)

Artificial intelligence helps doctors detect lung cancer Aug 20, 2024

Show notes

An artificial intelligence tool is helping to detect chest issues, which could indicate lung cancer, in a matter of seconds. It's now in use in forty countries around the world. It's called Annalise AI, and we speak to the co-founder of the company behind it.

Also on Tech Life:

In Kenya, Direct Air Capture technology is being designed, manufactured and deployed in the vast Rift valley.

And the commute of the future is being mapped out and planned today - find out about digital twinning.

Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn

(Photo: A doctor examines an X-ray image on a tablet. Credit: Athima Tongloom/Getty Images)