Tech Life

Latest Episodes:

Class action Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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 09, 2025

Show notes

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 02, 2025

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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. Credit: Getty Images)

Dealing with cyber attacks Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

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 05, 2025

Show notes

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)

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected