Tech Life
Technology
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.
Episodes
- Could this tech help millions of us sleep better?
This episode explores a trial for an anti-snoring device as a potential sleep apnoea solution. It also features health tech entrepreneurs who developed products based on their personal health experiences.
- The workers in the engine room of big tech
This episode of Tech Life investigates the recent layoffs of outsourced tech workers in Kenya. It also examines how to improve communication with artificial intelligence and features a company converting lamp-posts into data centers.
- A hologram to remember: Pam and Bill’s love story
Pam Cronrath discusses creating a speaking hologram of her late husband, Bill, to honor a promise for a "super wake." The episode also covers smart devices for knee post-op monitoring and AI-powered virtual glucose monitoring for diabetics.
- Sharing the road with driverless cars
This episode of Tech Life explores how self-driving cars communicate with other road users, how MarineTraffic tracks ships, and updates to Roblox age verification for children.
- The problem with AI
This episode explores the limitations and biases of AI, and looks at how digital twinning is assisting in the restoration of a historic palace. The show also discusses the appeal of mundane video games.
- Putting polluters in court
This episode of Tech Life explores the scientific evidence used in climate litigation, the environmental impact of electronic waste from AI, and a NASA space robot's mission to return home.
- How will AI help my doctor?
This episode explores the potential of AI in healthcare, including disease detection and improved professional workflows. Additionally, Shiona McCallum interviews an entrepreneur working on female health tech and shares a positive story fr…
- Screen time ‘rewiring our brains’
This episode explores the impact of screen time on young children and babies. It also features a listener's personal story about hearing his father's voice again through AI technology.
- I pretend to be OnlyFans models online
This episode explores the role of chatters working for OnlyFans models, the use of AI in scientific research, and the White House's use of video game clips in footage related to the war with Iran.
- Quantum computers are coming - do we need ethical guidelines?
This episode explores the need for ethical guidelines in quantum computing, the development of long-term glass data storage, and the insights science fiction offers regarding future space travel.
- Hearing my voice again totally blew my mind
This episode of Tech Life explores how AI technology is helping people with motor neuron disease recover their voices. The show also covers the impact of AI on memory chip manufacturing and the growth of the video game industry in Africa.
- Engaging chatbots
This episode discusses AI chatbot development with NVIDIA, focusing on creating more human-like interactions and the role of emotional connections. Additionally, the program explores new technology assisting stroke survivors.
- Would you wear smart glasses?
This episode of Tech Life explores the potential mainstream adoption of smart glasses, features new interactive Lego products, and highlights a Hong Kong company developing AI for Cantonese.
- Driverless cars in the fast lane
This episode of Tech Life explores the current state of autonomous taxis and the future of self-driving technology. It also examines how scientists are utilizing quantum sensing to monitor soldiers' brain activity during firing range exerc…
- China's AI progress
This episode explores the adoption of Chinese AI tools by US companies, boycotting via mobile apps in Denmark, and the performance of an exoskeleton designed for hiking.
- What's new in health tech?
Shiona McCallum explores new health technology showcased at a major consumer electronics trade show. Additionally, Joe Tidy discusses potential security threats targeting cryptocurrency owners.
- When will a robot do my laundry?
The Tech Life podcast explores the current state of humanoid robotics and whether they will soon be capable of performing household chores. Reporter Joe Tidy investigates recent developments in the field and the challenges robots still fac…
- What to expect from tech in 2026
Tech Life explores the year ahead in technology, covering new consumer gadgets at a Las Vegas trade show, developments in assistive technology, and trends in gaming. The episode also features a futurologist's predictions on the future of r…
- Tech Life's look back at 2025
In this episode, the Tech Life team reviews some of their favorite stories from 2025, including the revival of extinct species and the use of AI at a royal palace. Listeners also share how various technologies have impacted their daily liv…
- Launching a commercial space station
This episode of Tech Life explores the development of the commercial space station Haven-1, robots assisting people with dementia in Japan, and a language-specific avatar for farmers in Africa. The program features an interview with Vast C…
- Chatbots changing minds
This episode of Tech Life explores how AI chatbots can influence opinions with misinformation, discusses the role of undersea cables with author Samanth Subramanian, and highlights a conservation project involving scientists and nuns savin…
- The darker side of streaming
Twitch streamer QTCinderella discusses her experiences with unwelcome real-life attention. Shiona McCallum also reports on robotics used in offshore wind farms and polar rover technology.
- The secret ways AI is used to write hit songs
This episode of Tech Life explores the practical applications of AI in songwriting, fashion design, and children's toys, featuring insights from a musician and a fashion house.
- Should we allow AI into the classroom?
This episode of Tech Life explores the role of AI in education, featuring discussions with students and a school co-founder. The programme also examines global online scams, including a personal account and expert advice on identifying sec…
- Living the digital nomad life
This episode explores the digital nomad lifestyle enabled by technology and visas. Additionally, Shiona McCallum discusses a charity assisting victims of online bullying in Kenya and reports on Finnish tech startups at Slush.
- The King and AI
Zoe Kleinman reports on the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, featuring interviews with Professor Fei-Fei Li and Jensen Huang. The episode also explores the roles of robots in space and autonomous racing cars in Abu Dhabi.
- Digital parenting
This episode explores the use of tracking technology in families, profiles the Russian hacker group Evil Corps, and covers a Kenyan engineer's award-winning app designed to assist deaf people with real-time sign language translation.
- Web-scraping bots
This episode of Tech Life explores the impact of AI web-scraping bots on Wikipedia, concerns regarding AI in the fashion industry, and the debate surrounding age verification systems for online adult content.
- Red lines for AI
This episode discusses global calls for international AI safety agreements, potential risks associated with the technology, and its impact on the legal profession. Additionally, the program covers the use of holograms for health awareness…
- Drones with Tasers
This episode of Tech Life features a discussion with the CEO of Axon Enterprise about the future of Taser technology, including armed drones. It also explores an underwater glider's circumnavigation and the progress of quantum computing.
- Class action
A class action lawsuit has been filed in Italy against Meta and TikTok, with lawyers seeking to protect young children from social media harm. The episode also discusses African agri-influencers, an AI maritime communication system, and th…
- Pinterest boss on online safety
An interview with Pinterest CEO Bill Ready is featured, alongside segments on the nature of cyber-attacks, the legacy of dial-up internet, and the potential of AI pets.
- Can we trust AI in health?
In this episode of Tech Life, experts discuss the benefits and risks of AI in healthcare. Additionally, the show covers Joseph Garrett's shift to game design, console game pricing, and an award-winning renewable energy project from student…
- Keeping connected
This episode of Tech Life explores how to maintain internet connectivity during infrastructure damage, including the potential of light beams. It also covers the use of satellites and AI to monitor migrating wildebeest populations in Afric…
- Sailing into stormy seas
This episode of Tech Life explores the use of robotic sailboats to gather hurricane data, new trends from a major European tech show, robotics education in Zambia, and solar-powered battery rentals in Africa.
- Talking translation
This episode of Tech Life explores live AI telephone translation, India's ban on online money games, and the findings of a global study on AI adoption in the workplace.
- What happens when you lose your social media?
This episode of Tech Life explores the issue of users being banned from Facebook and Instagram without explanation from Meta. The program also examines the history of an American tech giant and features author Karen Hao discussing common m…
- Tech and performance at the Edinburgh Festivals
This episode of Tech Life explores the intersection of technology and performance at the Edinburgh Festivals. It features interviews and features on acts using robot assistants, AI-driven improvisation, and electrical muscle stimulation in…
- Dealing with cyber attacks
This episode of Tech Life discusses the rise of cyber threats in Singapore and examines the role of synthetic voices. Presenter Zoe Kleinman also explores a story involving social media and a metal detectorist.
- What happened to DeepSeek?
This episode of Tech Life explores the current state of China's DeepSeek AI, examines risks associated with AI doomsday scenarios, and discusses the future of driving with Volvo's technology lead.
- Your AI servant
This episode of Tech Life explores the emergence of Agentic AI servants, a 3D-printing solution for plastic waste in Kenya, and the use of cell freezing to prevent animal extinction. Content includes an interview with a senior figure at Am…
- Can sewage make tech cleaner ?
This episode of Tech Life explores how underground slurry injection is used for carbon sequestration with Microsoft's support. It also examines the impact of generative AI on the music industry and features a listener's story about technol…
- Quantum question time
Tech Life visits a quantum computer lab to address listener questions on quantum technology's potential impact. The episode also discusses future network capacity for increasing data demands and methods for teaching AI to use different acc…
- AIs on the road
This episode of Tech Life features a discussion on an AI safe driving device that monitors driving behavior in fleet vehicles and provides alerts for safety risks. It also touches on the use of cargo drones for aid delivery in Africa and e…
- The future of the internet is up for debate
This episode of Tech Life debates the future of the internet, exploring whether it will remain decentralized or face increased government control. Guests include representatives from ICANN and the creator of a popular website, alongside a…
- Digital twin cities
This episode discusses the benefits of creating digital replicas of cities and islands for simulations. It features a conversation with a company specializing in digital twins, an interview with twins about their carbon capture project, an…
- Tackling illegal mining with tech
This episode of Tech Life explores how technology like drones, AI, and GPS is used to address illegal gold mining in Ghana. It also touches on other tech news including Meta's legal issues and AI advancements.
- China's booming EV industry
Tech Life discusses China's fast-growing electric vehicle industry, highlighting popular and affordable EV technology. The episode also covers supercomputers and solar-powered technology for disaster zones.
- Data and me
Tech Life discusses the implications of a trusted company facing financial issues with personal genetic data, the energy requirements for artificial intelligence, and a new technology for growing islands in the Maldives to combat erosion a…
- The digital afterlife business
This episode of Tech Life discusses the emerging digital afterlife industry, featuring AI chatbots that simulate interactions with those who have passed. It also examines technological solutions for food waste and efforts to make Formula 1…