Tech Life

BBC World Service
  • 4.3 (171)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED FORTNIGHTLY
Tech Life

Tech Life discovers and explains the ways technology is changing our lives, wherever we are in the world. We meet the people with bright ideas for rethinking the way we work, learn and play, and get hands-on with the products they dream up. We hold tech giants to account for their huge power to affect our lives, and ask who wins, and who loses, in the technology transformation. Tech Life is your guide to a future being made, and remade, at lightning speed in front of our eyes.

  1. Protecting your invention

    22 HR AGO

    Protecting your invention

    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, indicating she's had an idea. Credit: Peter Dazeley/Getty Images)

    26 min
  2. The impact of online abuse

    13 MAY

    The impact of online abuse

    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-Jones Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano (Image: A photo of a woman who has received online abuse. Credit: OcusFocus/Getty Images)

    26 min
  3. What you don’t see

    6 MAY

    What you don’t see

    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.)

    26 min
  4. Weighing the world's forests

    29 APR

    Weighing the world's forests

    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 Biomass satellite in space. Credit: ESA/ATG medialab)

    26 min
  5. Talking dolphin

    22 APR

    Talking dolphin

    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 dolphins. Credit: Google)

    26 min
  6. AI discrimination

    15 APR

    AI discrimination

    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 white background. Credit: Getty Images)

    26 min
  7. Beyond the tip of the iceberg

    8 APR

    Beyond the tip of the iceberg

    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: A photograph of a robotic glider suspended above the water. Credit: Doctor Natasha Lucas)

    26 min
  8. Jamming and spoofing

    1 APR

    Jamming and spoofing

    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)

    26 min
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4.3
out of 5
171 Ratings

About

Tech Life discovers and explains the ways technology is changing our lives, wherever we are in the world. We meet the people with bright ideas for rethinking the way we work, learn and play, and get hands-on with the products they dream up. We hold tech giants to account for their huge power to affect our lives, and ask who wins, and who loses, in the technology transformation. Tech Life is your guide to a future being made, and remade, at lightning speed in front of our eyes.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC World Service
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2025
  • Episodes
    305
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2025
  • Show Website
    Tech Life

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