Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast

Somewhere on Earth

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast — Tech That Actually Matters   If you’re tired of hype, gadgets-for-gadget’s-sake, and the same recycled tech headlines, welcome to Somewhere on Earth (SOEP) — the weekly global tech podcast that digs way deeper.Hosted by the ex-BBC World Service Digital Planet team (yes, the award-winning crew behind 21+ years of world-leading tech journalism and 1.5M annual downloads), SOEP uncovers the untold stories shaping our digital world.This isn’t a show about the latest shiny toy. It’s about technology that changes lives, cultures, and global societies.   Each episode explores: •⚡ The real-world impact of emerging tech •🌍 New innovations driving social good •🔍 Under-the-radar digital trends you should be paying attention to •🧠 How tech is reshaping communities, culture, and the way we live •📰 The technology behind the week’s biggest world stories — explained simply   Our mission?To build a tech-for-good ecosystem where new ideas, powerful insights, and meaningful innovation can grow.If you want smart, globally minded tech storytelling from journalists who’ve been doing this longer (and better) than almost anyone else — SOEP is your new must-listen podcast.   Somewhere on Earth: Where tech meets humanity.

  1. 🚀 AI Is Rewriting Marketing - And Nigerian Women Are Rewriting the Job Market - Live from Web Summit Qatar 2026

    2D AGO

    🚀 AI Is Rewriting Marketing - And Nigerian Women Are Rewriting the Job Market - Live from Web Summit Qatar 2026

    🎙️ Agentic AI, Audio Ads the Future of Creativity At Web Summit Qatar in Doha, the marketing world asked a bold question: when AI starts planning, creating, and deciding - what’s left for humans? Wilfrid Obeng,  Co-Founder of AudioMob talks about how AI is transforming advertising in real time. From hyper-personalised audio ads generated on the fly to emotion-powered voice cloning inspired by tools like ElevenLabs, Wilfred explains how brands are reaching audiences faster, cheaper, and more creatively than ever before - without losing the human spark.   💼 Fighting Job Scams in Nigeria: Mission to Empower Women in the Job Market We head to Nigeria, where Adeife Adeoye, Founder and CEO of “Remot WorkHers”, is tackling one of the country’s biggest challenges: employment fraud and job insecurity. With over 23 million Nigerians unemployed or underemployed, Remote WorkHers is building a verified, all-in-one career platform designed specifically for women. By manually vetting both employers and candidates - and refusing to rely solely on AI – tech is creating a safer, smarter pathway to meaningful work in one of Africa’s toughest job markets.   The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.   SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/   Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz   Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.   🎥 Learn more about what we do: ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co   📱 Follow us on socials: ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co) ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)   ➡️ Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast/id1713408769) ➡️ Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/65YZwVfA03MSdZ3198yLdb)   If you like our show please rate and review us.

    22 min
  2. From Regional Power to Global Impact: AI Business Strategy & Women Led Health Tech in Africa

    FEB 10

    From Regional Power to Global Impact: AI Business Strategy & Women Led Health Tech in Africa

    🌍 Scaling Local Innovation Into Global Influence Recorded at Web Summit Qatar in Doha, we explore how organisations build global relevance without losing their local roots. As markets become more interconnected, AI and strategic leadership are essential to scaling beyond borders. Yasmin Kayali, Chief Marketing Officer and Societal Impact Leader at Deloitte Middle East, and Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, unpack how global brands localise strategy, why Serbia is emerging as a tech hotspot, and how teaching coding and AI early is fuelling next-gen innovation.   💡 Nigerian Women Using AI Health Tech to Save Lives Africa has some of the world’s highest rates of delayed diagnosis for conditions like breast and cervical cancer. Now a new app uses AI triage, virtual consultations, and hybrid services to shrink the gender health gap - helping millions of women access care earlier and with confidence. Victoria Okundaye, Operations Lead at Débbo Africa, shares how her team is building a new health platform - designed to connect women with the right care as quickly and as safely as possible.   The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.   SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing. 🎥 Learn more about what we do: ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co   📱 Follow us on socials: ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co) ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)   ➡️ Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast/id1713408769) ➡️ Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/65YZwVfA03MSdZ3198yLdb)   If you like our show please rate and review us.

    25 min
  3. Banking the Unbanked & Electrifying Ethiopia: How Tech Is Leapfrogging the Future

    FEB 3

    Banking the Unbanked & Electrifying Ethiopia: How Tech Is Leapfrogging the Future

    How Mobile Money and Open Tech Are Bringing 1.3 Billion People Into the Financial System Technology isn’t just evolving - it’s rewriting the rules of entire economies. In this episode of Somewhere on Earth, we explore how mobile technology, open-source payments, and digital finance are helping to “bank the unbanked.” With around 1.3 billion adults still without access to a bank account, we look at how mobile money and open systems are leapfrogging traditional infrastructure and giving millions their first real access to savings, payments, and opportunity.   Why Ethiopia’s Bold Ban on Petrol Cars Could Redefine Transport Across AfricaEthiopia has become the first nation to ban the import of petrol and diesel vehicles, pushing full speed into an electric future. From battery-swapping motorcycles to renewable-powered transport, Ethiopia is betting on clean tech to transform its economy and environment. We connect the dots between financial inclusion and electrification — and ask how emerging tech ecosystems are reshaping lives, cities, and nations.   The programme was presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.   SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/   Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz   Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus.We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.   🎥 Learn more about what we do:  ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/  📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co  ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co    📱 Follow us on socials:  ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co)  ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)    ➡️ Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast/id1713408769) ➡️ Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/65YZwVfA03MSdZ3198yLdb) If you like our show please rate and review us.

    24 min
  4. Why the US Is Withdrawing From Internet Freedom Groups and What It Means for Your Digital Rights.

    JAN 27

    Why the US Is Withdrawing From Internet Freedom Groups and What It Means for Your Digital Rights.

    Trump and our Internet Freedoms – it’s not looking good The United States has pulled out of key international internet freedom organizations, calling them wasteful and ineffective — but digital rights experts say Americans should be concerned. In this episode, we break down why the US made the decision, what it means for online privacy and free expression, and how the shift could impact everyday internet users around the world. From surveillance to censorship, we explore what’s really at stake for the future of digital freedom. 🤖 AI Swarms and the Future of Democracy A new political threat is emerging online: AI swarms - vast networks of human-like artificial agents that can infiltrate social media, mimic real people, and influence opinion without detection. These aren’t simple bots. They use slang, join communities, post irregularly, and slowly persuade at scale.Researchers warn they could be used to destabilise elections, spread confusion, and push citizens toward disengagement rather than direct propaganda. We examine how real this danger is, how easy AI armies are to build, and what governments, platforms, and users can do to defend democracy in a world of synthetic voices.    The programme was presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.   SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/   Production manager: Liz Tuohy   Editor: Ania LichtarowiczSomewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd.    We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus.We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.   🎥 Learn more about what we do:  ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/  📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co    📱 Follow us on socials: ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co)  ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)    ➡️ Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast/id1713408769)  ➡️ Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/65YZwVfA03MSdZ3198yLdb)    If you like our show please rate and review us.

    22 min
  5. AI’s Hidden Environmental Cost and the Rise of the Smart Pill That Knows When You Take It

    JAN 20

    AI’s Hidden Environmental Cost and the Rise of the Smart Pill That Knows When You Take It

    🌍 AI’s Carbon and Water Footprint Artificial intelligence feels invisible, but its infrastructure is massive. From data centres and specialist servers to cooling systems and power grids, AI is driving a surge in energy and water use around the world. Now research suggests global AI systems may already produce carbon emissions comparable to a city like New York, while the water required to run and cool them could exceed total global bottled water consumption. In this segment, we explore why big tech companies disclose so little about AI’s true footprint — and what that means for users, sustainability, and the future of digital growth. The Digiconomist Alex de Vries-Gao joins us on the show.   💊 The Smart Pill Revolution One of the biggest problems in healthcare isn’t new drugs - it’s getting people to take the ones they already have. In the US alone, around 50% of patients don’t follow prescriptions properly, costing the system more than $100 billion every year and contributing to tens of thousands of premature deaths. Now researchers have created a dissolvable electronic “smart pill” that can confirm when medication has actually been taken. It’s safe and biodegradable. We look at how ingestible technology could transform treatment, accountability, and patient care worldwide. Professor Giovanni Traverso, who led the team at MIT explains the tech. The programme was presented by Ania Lichtarowicz. SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/   Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz   Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus.We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.   🎥 Learn more about what we do:  ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/  📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co  ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co    📱 Follow us on socials:  ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co) ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)    ➡️ Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast/id1713408769)  ➡️ Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/65YZwVfA03MSdZ3198yLdb)   If you like our show please rate and review us.

    24 min
  6. The Communications Blackout in Iran: Network Data Show Near-Total Comms Shutdown

    JAN 13

    The Communications Blackout in Iran: Network Data Show Near-Total Comms Shutdown

    The latest on Iran: nationwide communications blackout deepens Iranian authorities imposed an unprecedented communications blackout as protests spread nationwide. The internet monitoring group NetBlocks shows that connectivity remains at around one percent of normal levels, with mobile data, phone calls, text messages and fixed-line services all heavily disrupted. Digital rights groups say the scale of the shutdown goes far beyond previous internet blackouts used during unrest. Amir Rashidi, Director of Internet Security and Digital Rights at the NGO, the Miaan Group and Felicia Anthonio, Access Now’s #KeepItOn Global Campaign Manager explain how the shutdown is being enforced and what it means for people inside Iran.   How AgriTech Is Cutting Food Waste: Tracking Produce from Farm to Table Up to 50% of fresh produce is lost before it ever reaches our plates - often because critical information disappears after harvest. In this episode we speak with Kacper Dach, Co-Founder of Agrocontracts, about how digital tracking, QR codes, and RFID technology are helping farmers and distributors trace produce from field to table. We explore how small data mistakes can lead to massive food waste, why agriculture needs better tech infrastructure, and how smarter supply chains can reduce losses, costs, and environmental impact worldwide.   The programme was presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.   SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/   Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz   Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.   🎥 Learn more about what we do: ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co   📱 Follow us on socials: ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co) ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)   ➡️ Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast/id1713408769) ➡️ Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/65YZwVfA03MSdZ3198yLdb)   If you like our show please rate and review us.

    22 min
  7. Will AI Sway Your Vote? And How to Make Sure Your Digital Legacy Goes to the Right People

    JAN 6

    Will AI Sway Your Vote? And How to Make Sure Your Digital Legacy Goes to the Right People

    Could AI Chatbots Influence Elections? Could a chatbot change the way you vote? In this episode, DPhil candidate Kobi Hackenburg from the Oxford Internet Institute explains how AI is already capable of persuading people on political issues. From short, personalised conversations to fact-packed arguments, these systems can shift opinions in minutes - and the effects can last for weeks. We explore the implications for democracy, elections, and what it means when machines can influence minds as effectively as human campaigners. Protect Your Digital Life After You’re Gone What happens to your digital life after you die? Pawel Soproniuk, CEO of Legacy App, joins us to discuss how digital assets — from bank accounts and investments to insurance policies - are often left inaccessible to loved ones. Legacy App provides a secure, encrypted way to map out your digital estate, ensuring that the right people inherit what you leave behind. This conversation highlights why planning your digital legacy is becoming as essential as writing a will. The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz. SUBSCRIBE FOR THE PODEXTRA HERE: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing. 🎥 Learn more about what we do: ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co 📱 Follow us on socials: ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co) ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast) ➡️ Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast/id1713408769) ➡️ Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/65YZwVfA03MSdZ3198yLdb) If you like our show please rate and review us.

    21 min
  8. Who Controls the Future of Technology? The Hidden Power War Over AI, Chips, and Global Standards

    12/30/2025

    Who Controls the Future of Technology? The Hidden Power War Over AI, Chips, and Global Standards

    🔐AI, Ransomware, and the Collapse of Digital Trust Cyber threats in 2025 have escalated fast.  AI is now industrializing cybercrime.Deep-fake fraud, targeted phishing, and automated ransomware have driven a 50% surge in attacks. The consequences are no longer digital. Hospitals have shut down. Factories have stopped.Critical infrastructure is being quietly pre-positioned for future disruption.This episode explains why cyber risk is now a safety and leadership issue — not just an IT problem.   ♻️ E-Waste & Critical MaterialsThe $91 Billion Urban Mine Hiding in Plain Sight The world needs materials for EVs, clean energy, and AI. But they’re already in our homes. Old phones and laptops contain $91 billion in critical raw materials every year.Nearly half of it is never recycled.Instead, e-waste flows into informal, toxic systems that damage health and fuel illegal trade. We follow that global pipeline.We explore the fight to formalize recycling, the legal battle in India, and why e-waste has become a strategic resource.   This programme was created by Google Notebook LM but overseen by a human.   The PodExtra 🔒Who Controls the Future of Technology?  The Hidden Power War Over AI, Chips, and Global StandardsThe world’s most important power struggle isn’t happening on battlefields - it’s happening inside chip factories, standards committees, and AI supply chains. As the U.S., China, and the EU abandon free-market tech and move toward state control, a new global order is quietly taking shape. This episode reveals how export controls, semiconductor choke points, and technical standards are being weaponized - and why the era of “neutral technology” is over. Understanding this shift is essential to understanding who will shape the next century.   SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/   Production manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz   Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd.  We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus.We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing. 🎥 Learn more about what we do:  ➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/  📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co ➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co    📱 Follow us on socials:  ➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en)  ➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co)  ➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)    ➡️ Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast/id1713408769)    ➡️ Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/65YZwVfA03MSdZ3198yLdb)    If you like our show please rate and review us.

    36 min
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3 Ratings

About

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast — Tech That Actually Matters   If you’re tired of hype, gadgets-for-gadget’s-sake, and the same recycled tech headlines, welcome to Somewhere on Earth (SOEP) — the weekly global tech podcast that digs way deeper.Hosted by the ex-BBC World Service Digital Planet team (yes, the award-winning crew behind 21+ years of world-leading tech journalism and 1.5M annual downloads), SOEP uncovers the untold stories shaping our digital world.This isn’t a show about the latest shiny toy. It’s about technology that changes lives, cultures, and global societies.   Each episode explores: •⚡ The real-world impact of emerging tech •🌍 New innovations driving social good •🔍 Under-the-radar digital trends you should be paying attention to •🧠 How tech is reshaping communities, culture, and the way we live •📰 The technology behind the week’s biggest world stories — explained simply   Our mission?To build a tech-for-good ecosystem where new ideas, powerful insights, and meaningful innovation can grow.If you want smart, globally minded tech storytelling from journalists who’ve been doing this longer (and better) than almost anyone else — SOEP is your new must-listen podcast.   Somewhere on Earth: Where tech meets humanity.

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