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Tech Life

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Apr 8, 2025 • 26min

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)
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Apr 1, 2025 • 26min

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)
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Mar 25, 2025 • 26min

Living life with a mind-reading chip

What is it like to live with a computer chip in your brain ? Noland Arbaugh became the first person to receive a device from Elon Musk's neurotechnology firm, Neuralink. Noland tells the BBC about his operation to implant the chip, how he can control a computer with his thoughts, and how it has improved his life.Also on Tech Life this week, we explore a crypto solution to an electricity problem in rural Zambia, and look at one attempt to tackle the tricky subject of copyright and AI.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: Imran Rahman-Jones Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano(Image: A photograph of Noland Arbaugh attending a sporting event. Credit: Noland Arbaugh)
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Mar 18, 2025 • 26min

Archiving achievement

A former US Air Force engineer found articles about her were removed from the internet, on US government instructions. She tells us why she wants to archive them for the future. Then, we go inside Africa’s biggest tech market. Plus, the blind astronomer who listens to space. And quantum computers may be on the verge of a breakthrough. We explain why this matters.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: Chris Vallance Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones Editor: Monica Soriano(Image: Ex-US Air Force flight test engineer Jessica Peterson in the back seat of a T-38, taking a selfie video as the plane does an upside down roll. Credit: Getty Images)
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Mar 11, 2025 • 26min

Surviving digital banking outages

This week on Tech Life, we ask why online banking and payment outages happen, and find out what you can do to protect your data and money.The first Saudi Arabian woman to run an international body speaks to us about her life in tech, and her role in charge of the Digital Co-operation Organisation. And if you had to spend a long time on the Moon or Mars, what kind of base would you want to live in ?We are always keen to hear from you. You can email us: techlife@bbc.co.uk, or send us a text message or voice note on Whatsapp: +44 330 1230 320.Presenter: Graham Fraser Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano(Image: A woman's hand holds a mobile phone. A login window for online banking is on the screen. Credit: Torsten Asmus/Getty Images)
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Mar 4, 2025 • 26min

The doctor will see you now

Live trials are under way in Ghana of holoportation 3D telemedicine tech. It allows a patient in a remote location to connect to a doctor many miles away, and be examined. We speak to the lead engineer involved in the project, as well as a patient and a doctor benefiting from the portable kit.Also on Tech Life, what happens when a country's leader decides the names of some places (or stretches of water) are about to change ? Do online maps update ? How is it decided ? Our reporter has been searching for the answers.And what is it like working as a technology correspondent, reporting on the busy and ever-changing North America tech scene ? We chat to Lily Jamali who does exactly that for the BBC.We are always keen to hear from you. You can email us: techlife@bbc.co.uk, or send us a text message or voice note on Whatsapp: +44 330 1230 320.Presenter: Graham Fraser Producer: Tom Quinn Editor: Monica Soriano(Image: Image of a female doctor communicating with a patient on a portable video link. Credit: Hiraman/Getty Images)
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Feb 25, 2025 • 26min

Could AI pick the next James Bond?

With Amazon now in charge of James Bond, how will they use data to shape the franchise. We speak to a company which analyses scripts using AI and suggests actors or story changes. Plus, the computer scientist who got her native language on to Google Translate, and the Indian village which became a YouTube sensation.We love hearing from you. Send us an email on techlife@bbc.co.uk or send a Whatsapp to +44330 1230 320.Presented and produced by Imran Rahman-Jones. Our editor is Monica Soriano.(Image: Daniel Craig in a black tuxedo and bow tie, looking down the barrel of the camera. Credit: Getty Images.)
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9 snips
Feb 18, 2025 • 26min

Human life under the oceans

Dive into the exciting concept of underwater habitats where humans could live and work for extended periods. Explore the Vanguard Project, which is pioneering these innovative designs and facing technical challenges like buoyancy. Learn about futuristic technologies such as artificial gills and vertical farming for sustainable living. Meanwhile, discover the uncertain future of TikTok for content creators amidst potential bans, and see how virtual gaming expos are reshaping the way developers present their games.
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Feb 11, 2025 • 26min

Decoding the brain

Join scientist Jean-Rémy King, who leads Meta's brain and AI research in Paris, as he unveils groundbreaking advancements in decoding brain activity related to language. He discusses the potential of AI to assist those with speech impairments through brain-computer interfaces, tackling both technical challenges and ethical dilemmas. Additionally, discover how AI and 3D printing are revolutionizing sneaker design, and learn about sustainable fishing innovations transforming Kenya's fishing industry.
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Feb 4, 2025 • 26min

China's AI world

Itamar Friedman, founder of Codo and former Alibaba machine vision head, shares insights on China's AI revolution, highlighting the rapid rise of the DeepSeek chatbot and its global implications. Helena Legese, Deputy GM at Dodai, discusses an innovative battery-swapping system for electric vehicles in Addis Ababa, aimed at transforming urban mobility. The conversation also touches on groundbreaking self-healing asphalt technology, designed to tackle pothole problems, showcasing the intersection of sustainability and innovation in transportation.

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