Tech Life

Latest Episodes:

The global workforce Apr 16, 2021

Show notes

Tech founder Phil Libin tells us why he’s doing away with offices for good and no longer advertising jobs with a location. Plus, is China reigning in its tech giants after Alibaba is given a $2bn fine for market abuse. And the AI tech that helps people with impaired speech interact with voice-activated devices. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, with senior BBC tech reporter Jane Wakefield. Produced by Jat Gill.

(Image: Stock photo of a woman working behind a laptop computer, Credit: Getty Images).

Ad cookies facing the crunch Apr 09, 2021

Show notes

How Apple and Google’s privacy clampdown will bring upheaval to online advertising. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, with BBC tech reporter David Molloy. Produced by Jat Gill.

The future of computing Apr 02, 2021

Show notes

The CEO of ARM on why its new chips focus on security and artificial intelligence. Plus we hear about two exciting projects to bring quantum computing out of the lab. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, with BBC senior tech reporter Jane Wakefield. Produced by Jat Gill.

(Image: ARM chief executive Simon Segars, credit: Getty Images).

Why Intel will make chips for its rivals Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

The tech giant says it aims to rebalance world chip supply from Asia to the US and Europe. Plus, what can President Biden do about hackers backed by Russia and China? And is crowdtasking the next part of the gig economy to face calls for better workers’ rights? Presented by Joe Tidy, with BBC tech reporter Cristina Criddle. Produced by Jat Gill.

(Image: Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, Credit: Getty Images).

Uber’s u-turn on drivers Mar 19, 2021

Show notes

The ride-hailing giant says it will pay UK drivers a minimum wage and other benefits. Will other gig-economy firms be forced to follow suit? Plus how cryptocurrency is a craze in India but faces a government ban. And why using email could make workers “more stupid” through the day. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, with BBC tech reporter Jane Wakefield. Produced by Jat Gill.

The $69m digital artwork Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

How the boom in 'non-fungible tokens' helped one artist become a multimillionaire. Mike Winkelmann - also known as Beeple - explains why his art has sold for $69m at auction despite being freely available to download. Also on the programme: A global security breach of Microsoft's email software hits thousands of businesses. We hear from the BBC's cybersecurity specialist Joe Tidy on why so-called 'zero-day' vulnerabilities are so scary. And Onyinye Ough from the organisation Step Up Nigeria tells us how virtual reality is being used to fight corruption in the West African country. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, with BBC tech reporter Jane Wakefield.

(Picture credit: Christie's/ Getty Images)

The new “space race” for chips Mar 05, 2021

Show notes

A close look at how the latest silicon chips are made, what they’re used for, and why they represent “the new space race” at the heart of US-China rivalry. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, with BBC Online tech editor Leo Kelion. Produced by Jat Gill.

(Image: Illustration with the flags of China and the USA behind a silicon chip, Credit: Getty Images).

Who blinked - Facebook or Australia? Feb 26, 2021

Show notes

Facebook and the Australian government reach a compromise over a new law requiring tech giants to pay publishers for news content. Is it a model for other countries to follow? Plus, how water-soluble circuit boards might help reduce e-waste. And have internet influencers been saviours of many businesses during lockdown? Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, with BBC tech reporter Zoe Kleinman. Produced by Jat Gill.

Facebook blocks Australia’s news Feb 19, 2021

Show notes

The social giant takes down news content ahead of a new law that would force it to pay media publishers. Plus, are digital vaccine certificates or passports essential for a return to normal life or a bad idea that could entrench inequality? And yet more evidence that the global auto industry is racing to electric vehicles. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, with BBC tech reporter David Molloy. Produced by Jat Gill.

(Image: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Credit: Getty Images).

Bitcoin’s energy cost Feb 12, 2021

Show notes

The buzz around the cryptocurrency grows after Elon Musk’s Tesla reveals it has bought $1.5bn worth of Bitcoin. But what’s its impact on global energy use? Plus how people in China have been using the Clubhouse audio social app to discuss usually banned topics. And new figures on the performance of the Covid-19 contact tracing app used in England and Wales. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, with BBC senior tech reporter Jane Wakefield. Produced by Jat Gill.

(Image: Representation of a Bitcoin plugged into a power outlet. Credit: Getty Images).