

Tech Life
BBC World Service
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

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)

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)

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.)

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.

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.

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.

Jan 28, 2025 • 26min
Not as dead as a dodo?
Ben Lam, the CEO of Colossal Biosciences, shares his vision for de-extinction technology, aiming to bring back animals like the dodo and woolly mammoth. He discusses the ambitious projects and the innovative business model blending conservation with cutting-edge science. In contrast, ethicist Melanie Challenger raises concerns about the moral implications and potential consequences of reviving extinct species. The engaging debate between bold aspirations and ethical dilemmas captivates listeners, highlighting the complexities of modern conservation efforts.

9 snips
Jan 21, 2025 • 26min
VPNs and India
Christian Dawson, Executive Director of the Internet Infrastructure Coalition, discusses the troubling trend of VPN services disappearing from Indian app stores due to recent government regulations. These changes raise critical questions about online privacy and security, particularly for vulnerable populations. Yuval Noah Harari, a prominent historian, shares his thoughts on the potential impacts of AI, framing it within the context of historical technological advances and its implications for creativity and society. Their insights provoke reflection on the balance between innovation and individual rights.

Jan 14, 2025 • 26min
Trust and verify
Explore the fascinating world of online fact-checking as Meta shifts its approach on social media. Discover efforts to preserve our digital heritage deep beneath the Arctic, ensuring future generations have access to cultural artifacts. Delve into LinkedIn's battle against fake profiles with innovative verification tools. Plus, learn how digital mapping is evolving from simple navigation to a tool for autonomous technologies, transforming our understanding of geography. This tech-filled discussion unveils the complexities and innovations shaping our digital landscape.

5 snips
Jan 7, 2025 • 26min
A glimpse into the future of tech
Dive into the vibrant chaos of CES, where over 4,000 exhibitors unveil wild tech innovations. Discover quirky gadgets like an electrically charged spoon that enhances taste. Learn about an innovative sleep lamp that promotes better rest and explores the future of automotive tech with vehicles evolving into sophisticated computing devices. Get excited about the youth-driven push towards sustainable practices and witness how arcade games and robot pets might represent the future of consumer technology!