Tech Life

Hosted by BBC World Service

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Episodes

378

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Oct 2026

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About the show

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.

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60 recent

October 27, 202627 min

The man who ‘saved the internet’

A week ago, few outside of the tech world had heard of PHP. Now, after vulnerabilities were discovered, it’s an acronym many more of us are familiar with. With the help of insiders, we tell the story of the PHP crisis. Plus, Tech Life speaks to a comedian whose jokes were taken and retold by an AI avatar – which then went on to get millions of views online. And after we visited the UK’s national supercomputer a few weeks back, we answer some of your questions with the centre’s director. Presented by Chris Vallance Produced by Imran Rahman-Jones (Image: Ondřej Surý, wearing glasses and a checked shirt, smiles at the camera on a video call.)

October 20, 202626 min

Beyond silicon chips

Shiona McCallum visits a semiconductor plant making super-thin and flexible chips. Canada's AI Minister talks to the BBC. And drone tech is monitoring fire-damaged landscapes. You can view Shiona's report on thermal drones here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKSkIDMZcmc Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: A technician dressed in protective clothing inspects a wafer containing thousands of microchips. Credit: Getty Images)

October 13, 202626 min

Virtual data centres in space

Where should data centres be built? We talk to an entrepreneur hoping to build a virtual data centre in space, by using computing power that's already up there - in satellites. Also this week: A Facebook whistleblower, whose story inspired a new movie, talks to us about social media and AI. And could rotating sails help to reduce container ship exhaust pollution? Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn and Imran Rahman-Jones (Image: An illustration of satellites orbiting Earth and sending signals to each other for communication. Credit: Getty Images)

October 6, 202626 min

Inside a supercomputer: A Tech Life special

What exactly is a supercomputer for? How does it work? And who gets to use it? Tech Life spends the day at the UK’s national supercomputer to get the answers. We get a rare tour of one of the most powerful computers in the country, and speak to scientists who have access to the computer about how it helps them with their research. (Photo: The inside of a supercomputer blade, with circuit boards, copper processors and memory sticks inside) Producer/presenter: Imran Rahman-Jones

September 29, 202626 min

How an AI was tricked into breaking its own rules

Security researchers have got an AI model to break its own rules and give advice on terrorist attacks and assassinations. They talk to Tech Life about their findings. Plus, indie game developer Jonathan Blow on why he spent 10 years inventing his own coding language and game engine for his newest release. And Shiona McCallum takes us through the latest in birth tech. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones (Image: An illustration of a brain with “AI” written on it, underneath a birdcage. Credit: Getty Images.)

September 22, 202626 min

Gauging China's AI strength

How far has China come in developing AI technology? And what challenges does it face? An expert helps us understand the thinking in Beijing. Also this week: what can fifty thousand autonomous machines tell us about the future of robotics? And cutting edge tech helps cricket reach new audiences. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: An illustration of the Chinese flag over electronic circuitry. Credit: Getty Images)

September 15, 202626 min

Growing up in the age of AI

AI is developing rapidly. What should parents and children make of it all? And how can young people navigate school and future careers when AI is becoming increasingly important? We speak to an expert who has written a new book about these issues. Also this week: we find out how one piece of health tech is helping scientists uncover disease-fighting data in menstrual blood. And satellite imaging is used by conservationists in Indonesia to protect the habitat of a rare species of orangutan. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: A female school pupil sits at a laptop in a computer lab. She is wearing headphones. Credit: Getty Images)

September 8, 202626 min

The copyright extortionists

Lots of people make a living from social media posts. But some have been targeted by an international extortion scheme. It involves a flood of false copyright infringement claims. It only stops if the extorter is paid. Imran Rahman-Jones has the story. Also this week: could AI help to spot wrong-way driving on Ireland's major roads? And we bring you the latest titles and tech on show at Gamescom in Germany. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: Silhouettes of mobile phone users are seen next to a screen projection of Instagram's logo. Credit: Reuters)

September 1, 202626 min

What if AI doesn’t speak your language?

English is the most widely-used language online. Internet material helps to train AI tools. So where does that leave people whose native language barely features on the web? We find out about a project helping AI to work in more of the world’s languages. Also this week: regulating tech might sound about as appealing as a trip to the dentist. But, like your check-up, it is important. With Europe and the United States taking different approaches, we’ll ask who gets to set the rules, and what that means for the rest of us. And there’s a growing range of technology aimed at older people. We’ll look at some of the products out there, and ask how useful they really are. Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn (Photo: A young woman holds a smartphone to her mouth while sitting at a table. She is using a smartphone AI voice assistant. Credit: Getty Images)

August 25, 202626 min

Unlocking tech breakthroughs

ARIA is the UK's research and development funding agency that's built to unlock new scientific and technological developments. We speak to ARIA's new boss about their work. Also this week: the tech that's helping disabled racing drivers to achieve their dreams. And the pros and cons of making AI-generated complaints. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: An illustration of a light bulb, representing creative thoughts and ideas. Two human hands attempt to grasp the image. Credit: Getty Images)