Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast

Myanmar tops the charts for the most internet shutdowns in 2024 India stands as a global leader in various sectors - technology, innovation, space exploration, and education in science and engineering. However, it has also consistently ranked first in internet shutdowns for six consecutive years. From 2016 to 2023, there were a total of 771 recorded incidents. According to the Freedom Law Centre India, a digital rights organization, the criteria for implementing these shutdowns are often lacking in transparency. Notably, in the past year, Myanmar has surpassed India, with the military regime responsible for 85 internet shutdowns, while India recorded 84. We check out the annual report on Internet Shutdowns from the digital civil rights NGO Access Now. Glasses that improve the vision of patients with macular degeneration 200 million people worldwide have macular degeneration – a form of sight loss often associated with ageing. Now a US company say they have developed glasses that can improve their vision significantly. Jez Donaldson has been finding out more. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Chhavi Sachdev. More on this week's stories: Emboldened offenders, endangered communities: internet shutdowns in 2024 SolidddVision Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz For the PodExtra version of the show please subscribe via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram BlueSky If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Contact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.co Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484 Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first African-born Arab woman to go into Space Sara Sabry, is an engineer, citizen astronaut, and entrepreneur of Egyptian-Lebanese descent. In 2022, she made history by becoming the first Egyptian to journey into space during the Blue Origin NS-22 mission, as well as the first woman of African descent and Arab heritage to achieve this milestone. Additionally, she is the founder and CEO of the Deep Space Initiative, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing space exploration. In 2021, Sara completed a two-week simulation of a lunar mission and astronaut training program at Florida Tech, distinguishing herself as the first Egyptian woman qualified to conduct research in sub-orbital space. Sara spoke with Somewhere on Earth at Web Summit Qatar, in front of a live audience. More than 25,000 people attended the summit, where thousands of tech start-ups, mainly from the Middle East and Africa, were bidding for investments. The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz. More on this week's stories: Sara Sabry Sara Sabry at Web Summit Qatar Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz For the PodExtra version of the show please subscribe via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on all the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram BlueSky If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Contact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.co Send us a voice note via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484 Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are teachers keeping up with their pupils when it comes to AI in the classroom? A recent survey in the United States showed that more than 70% of students report using AI for their school assignments, even in the face of institutional restrictions on tools like ChatGPT. This finding comes from a study conducted by The Harker School, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of California, Santa Barbara. The data shows that pupils are engaging with these LLMs more often than adults, suggesting that younger users are adapting to AI technologies quicker. But that begs the question are educators keeping pace with these developments? In a special edition about AI and the future of education Gareth and Ghislaine are joined by Mutlu Cukurova, a Professor of Learning and Artificial Intelligence at University College London. We also hear more tech for Good from CES in Las Vegas. The BeeKee Box is a classroom in a box that can be used where there is no connectivity. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ghislaine Boddington. More on this week's stories: Professor Mutlu Cukurova BeeKee Box Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz Recorded at Lansons Team Farner For the PodExtra version of the show please subscribe via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on all the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram BlueSky If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Contact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.co Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484 Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI can now sell your intentions – marketing your decisions before you make them Machine learning is on the verge of commercialising your decisions even before you make them. New research shows that we are moving away from an attention economy to an intention economy as machine learning models, which can already imitate the way we write or talk, can now map previous activity onto future actions. Writing in the Harvard Data Science Review, Dr Yaqub Chaudhary, visiting scholar at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, and Dr Jonnie Penn of the University of Cambridge ask if AI predicting our intentions could be misused against us. Geothermal Energy without the digging Geothermal energy is going drill-free, using already available underground spaces, like car parks. Reporter Jez Donaldson met Margaux Peltier, Co-founder and CEO of Enerdrape, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The company uses pre-cooled or pre-heated geothermal panels in walls, which capture heat from the surrounding concrete or the ground itself, making this energy renewable as no new heat is created. This is then redistributed around the building using a heat pump. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ghislaine Boddington. More on this week's stories: AI selling your decisions before you make them Enerdrape Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz Recorded at Lansons Team Farner For the PodExtra version of the show please subscribe via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on all the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram BlueSky If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Contact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.co Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484 Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Arabic another language that goes unchecked online? A few weeks ago we reported on the almost impossible task of monitoring Kiswahili content online. This situation exposes millions of people to harmful and abusive content while the major social media companies continue to profit. In another report by the Centre for Democracy and Technology, similar conclusions have been drawn about Maghrebi Arabic – a language spoken by about 100 million people across western and central North Africa. Just like Kiswahili, monitoring Maghrebi Arabic is very difficult and current methods are completely inadequate. Dr. Mona Elswah is the lead author of the report on the Maghreb region and joins us on the show. An AI that identifies prostate cancer Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has one of the lowest survival rates among major cancers. The absence of early symptoms and the lack of effective screening methods result in over 80% of cases being identified only after the cancer has metastasized and spread around the body. At this advanced stage, survival rates drop to below 10%. Treatment is available when detected early and this is where AI comes into the screening process. Jez Donaldson meets Dr. Logan Nye, a physician & computational scientist at Carnegie Mellon University, who is behind Galen Health, the company that’s designed the cancer detecting algorithm. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert Ania Lichtarowicz. More on this week's stories: Moderating Maghrebi Arabic Content on Social Media Galen Health – revolutionizing cancer screening with AI Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz For the PodExtra version of the show please subscribe via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on all the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram BlueSky If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Contact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.co Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484 Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is AI going to replace your job? Is artificial intelligence a threat to your employment? If your profession involves machine learning or chatbot development, the outlook appears promising but for translators and some writing roles it’s not. Those are the findings of a study recently published in the Journal of Economic Behaviour and Organisation. Researchers analysed over three million job postings from a global freelancing platform since 2019. They identified which skills are being replaced, complemented, or remain unaffected by AI. Two of the authors, Dr. Fabian Braesemann from the Oxford Internet Institute, and Dr. Ole Tuetloff from the Copenhagen Centre for Social Data Science join Gareth and Ania on the show. The World’s First Inclusive Digital Map Jez Donaldson continues his search for the very best tech for good stories from the Consumer Electronics Show. This week he meets Brandon Biggs, CEO and Co-founder of XR Navigation (Audiom) inclusive map viewer. Using enhanced visual tech, audio and text it makes maps accessible to blind people, as well as those with other disabilities. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz. More on this week's stories: Winners and Losers of Generative AI XR Navigation Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz For the PodExtra version of the show please subscribe via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on all the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram BlueSky If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Contact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.co Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484 Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podextra - how you can get a bit more of Somewhere on Earth... Just a gentle reminder that we produce two versions of each show of Somewhere on Earth. There's the main show, which is available to everyone for free and there's an extended PODEXTRA edition where we delve a little deeper and chat longer to our guests - there are also no ads in this one. That's just $10US a month and you can cancel anytime - there's no tie in period. We welcome your support of any size, any time as without it we simply wouldn't be able to make the show. You can also support us online - please do join, like, follow or repost - we appreciate every click and comment. Thank you from the SOEP Team. Facebook Bluesky Instagram Threads YouTube LinkedIn TikTok WhatsApp: +44 7846 329 484 Subscribe to the PodExtra Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz Production Manager: Liz Tuohy For new episodes, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or visit our website: Somewhere on Earth Productions If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts Contact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.co Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robobees – could they help solve world hunger? A drone approximately the size of a thumb and weighing less than one gram is currently under development by a team at MIT. This team is focused on creating robotic insects that could serve various purposes, including functioning as pollinators in vertical farms—environments where crops are cultivated within tall structures designed for optimal growth conditions. The engineering challenge of designing such a tiny flying robot is huge. One major obstacle is replacing rotors with small, flapping wings. However, this approach presents its own difficulties, particularly that the wings tend to break at the hinge. The team at MIT have made some significant progress with this. Gareth spoke to co-lead author Suhan Kim. The research is published in the journal Science Robotics. The latest tech for good gadgets at the Consumer Electronics Show Somewhere on Earth reporter Jez Donaldson has been to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. This event is the largest of its kind globally, featuring the most recent advancements in technology and gadgets. Jez was on a mission to find tech for good. Over the coming weeks we will hear what he found. He starts with a company named OnMed, which is developing standalone hybrid telemedicine clinics that can be easily connected to a power source and the internet, allowing patients to consult with a real doctor via a screen. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Wairimu Gitahi. Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz For the PodExtra version of the show please subscribe via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on all the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram BlueSky If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Contact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.co Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484 Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can Kiswahili online content be moderated? It appears that 2025 will see a significant shift in content moderation practices, as Meta plans to eliminate independent fact-checkers on Facebook and Instagram. This change may suggest a decline in standards, particularly in regions that have historically experienced limited online moderation. In many parts of Africa, small content teams have been tasked with overseeing entire countries or regions. Interestingly, while there are numerous content moderators in Africa, they are primarily employed as outsourced workers to assist with content moderation for major platforms based in the United States. These jobs are often mis-advertised too – with no warning about the harmful content moderators will be forced to watch. A report by the Center for Democracy and Technology “Moderating Kiswahili content on Social Media” has looked at why it’s so difficult to moderate posts in Kiswahili. The Strettons Podcast The Strettons podcast proudly claims the title of the United Kingdom's inaugural dedicated village podcast. This initiative targets a collection of small villages located in the picturesque rural county of Shropshire, just next to Wales. While it may seem like yet another addition to the podcasting landscape—perhaps one you have already encountered and subscribed to—there is an intriguing technological narrative behind it, as shared by the presenters and producers, Sian Lovegrove and Pete Johnson who are on the show. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Wairimu Gitahi. More on this week's stories: Moderating Kiswahili content on Social Meda More than 140 Kenya Facebook moderators diagnosed with severe PTSD The Strettons Podcast Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz For new episodes, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on all the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram Twitter/X If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts Contact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.co Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484 Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Capturing shooting stars with your doorbell cam We’ve had the first meteor shower of 2025 – you may have missed it but your doorbell cam may have recorded it. The Quadrantids shower has captivated both amateur and professional astronomers, some of whom are now working together to find the meteors once they land on the Earth’s surface. When this occurs, there is a strong likelihood that the aptly named UK Fireball Alliance will identify them. This alliance consolidates images and videos from various sources, including doorbell cameras, dash-cams, security systems, and professional telescopes. The primary objective is to issue a comprehensive alert to scientists, indicating where they can locate the fallen meteors. Gareth met with Luke Daly, a lecturer in planetary geoscience at the University of Glasgow. He is also the treasurer of the UK Fireball Alliance and is on the show to tell us more. EdTech Apps – are they any good? The EdTech App market is worth billions of dollars a year but many of these apps are, in fact, counterproductive and may be causing more harm than good. That’s according to an Educational Technology researcher who has recently expressed her concerns in the journal Nature. Natalia Kucirkova, the Director of the International Centre for EdTech Impact and a professor at the University of Stavanger in Norway, is concerned that educational institutions, along with families, are squandering resources on apps that do not yield effective results. As she tells Gareth, better testing of these apps is needed, as is a certification process to identify those that are truly beneficial to children. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Angelica Mari. More on this week's stories: UK Fireball Alliance Educational apps are worth billions. We need to make sure they work Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz For new episodes, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or via this link for the PodExtra: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram Twitter/X Bluesky If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts Contact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.co Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484  Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to keep your data safe when protesting The government of Georgia is set to deport 25 foreign nationals who were involved in protests that occurred late last year. This information has been reported by several news outlets referencing the Interior Ministry of Georgia. The demonstrations arose in response to the parliamentary elections held in the country. Considering the protests and the subsequent actions taken by the authorities, the digital rights organisation Access Now has issued a series of cybersecurity recommendations for individuals participating in peaceful demonstrations. During a protest, particularly if the situation escalates, it can be challenging to focus on cybersecurity when personal safety is at stake. Therefore, Access Now's guidance emphasizes the importance of securing one's devices prior to attending a protest. Much of the advice provided consists of fundamental digital hygiene practices that everyone should adopt, which is why we invited Access Now onto our podcast at the start of the year, a time when many are looking to establish positive habits. Mohammed Al-Maskati serves as the Director of the Digital Security Helpline at Access Now and is on the show. New Year, New Tech Resolutions The team discuss their New Year’s Tech Resolutions – and ask for yours in return. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Angelica Mari. More on this week's stories: Access Now – Digital Safety Tips for Peaceful Gatherings Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz For new episodes, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or via this link for the PodExtra edition: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram BlueSky If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Contact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.co Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484 Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your favourite SOEP shows from 2024 Thank you for all your suggestions and comments; we have selected the most popular choices and put them together in our final show of 2024. From our special programme with Jimmy Wales, to the reliability of French language chatbots, we look at what you thought were our best bits of the year. The PodExtra - The Creator Economy This week we have a completely new episode for our paid for subscribers. Angelica Mari hosted a Podcast Live at Web Summit in Lisbon where she discussed the evolving landscape of the creator economy, focusing on the challenges and opportunities faced by content creators. She highlighted the importance of monetisation, the role of data, and the potential of immersive experiences in driving sales. But there's more to the creator economy - even though the push for more and more contact is great, ethical considerations (especially the need for authenticity and responsible use of technology), are vital to keep up trust with subscribers and clients. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz. More on this week's stories: Somewhere on Earth Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz Audio: Ion Minas Belesis at All is Joy Studios in London For new episodes, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or via this link for additional subscription extra material: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram Bluesky If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts Contact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.co Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484 Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Biometrics – do we have a choice in who has this data and how they use it? This week we dive deep into the world of biometrics, with a particular focus on facial recognition technology. What is the current state of facial recognition, and why are legal experts and privacy advocates so concerned? Additionally, we’ll explore the realm of health data; is there a necessary compromise between collecting our biometric information for improved health outcomes and safeguarding our privacy? Or can we find a way to achieve both? Joining us is Dr. Stephanie Hare, the author of Technology is Not Neutral: A Short Guide to Technology Ethics. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ghislaine Boddington. More on this week's stories: Dr. Stephanie Hare Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz Audio: All is Joy Studios For new episodes, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram Twitter/X If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts Contact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.co Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484 Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How technology led to the rise of HTS and the fall of Assad in Syria HTS presented the removal of a brutal dictatorship that had lasted for five decades as a straightforward task accomplished in a matter of days. Currently, the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has assumed control in Syria, while former president Bashar al-Assad reportedly resides in Russia. Although the narrative often emphasizes the use of armoured vehicles and firearms, many analyses overlook the significant impact of technology on HTS's achievements, including innovations such as 3D printing and drones. To explore this topic in greater depth, we will engage in a discussion with Broderick McDonald, a researcher specializing in conflict at King’s College London. Our demand for nickel is destroying a way of life in Indonesia Peter Guest, one of Somewhere on Earth’s regular studio experts, has been on the nickel trail in Indonesia He provides a firsthand account of the environmental repercussions associated with the nickel sector, which supplies components for electric vehicles on our roads. Peter has undertaken a 2,000-kilometer journey across Sulawesi, examining the detrimental impacts of the nickel industry on both the environment and human rights. This investigation was for the Gecko Project. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Peter Guest. More on this week's stories: Broderick McDonald Dust Money Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz Audio: Ion Minas Belesis at All is Joy Studios in London For new episodes, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on: Join our Facebook group Instagram Linkedin Bluesky YouTube If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts Contact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.co Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484 Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Protecting submarine cables, how the big players are now involved Submarine fibre optic cables are responsible for carrying 99% of the world's internet traffic yet they are often subject to damage. Therefore, it is fortunate that a coordinated organisation exists to ensure the resilience of these essential cables. Gareth and Ania discuss why this has only been set up recently. Proton – from VPN’s to data encryption – a different approach to other tech companies The company’s website states “A better internet starts with privacy and freedom - take control of your data with end-to-end encryption”, but what does this actually mean? The tech company Proton is already providing free VPN’s in more than 60 countries that are holding elections this year. And in addition it has also launched end to end encryption document sharing, as well as a local AI to respond to your emails – all without ever having access to your data. Ania Lichtarowicz caught up with CEO and Founder of Proton Andy Yen at Web Summit. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz. More on this week's stories: ITU – Submarine Cable Resilience Proton Ediitor: Ania Lichtarowicz Production Manager: Liz Tuohy For new episodes, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on all the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram Twitter/X If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts Contact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.co Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484 Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new feeding robot could return people’s independence at mealtimes A group of friends is enjoying lunch together, however one of the friends is unable to use their arms so rely on a carer help them eat. Now a new robot – called FIDI – could return their independence at mealtimes. A robotic arm positioned on the table automatically delivers food to their mouth, using AI and cameras to adapt to the user’s movements and behaviours, ensuring that the food reaches its intended destination—the person’s mouth. Ania saw FIDI in action at Web Summit where she met Krzysztof Stelmach, the CEO of Semi Robotics and FIDI’s creator. AI and its influence on history and religion Imagine the possibility of immersing yourself in a biblical scene or engaging in a direct conversation with a deity from another religious tradition. Alternatively, consider visiting an ancient landmark, such as the Colosseum in Rome, and experiencing life as the Romans did while interacting with a chatbot. Professor Sreevas Sahasranamam, from the Adam Smith Business School at the University of Glasgow is on the show to tell us more. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz. More on this week's stories: FIDI – The feeding robot AI, history and religion Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz Production Manager: Liz Tuohy For new episodes, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on all the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram Twitter/X If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts Contact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.co Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484 Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kyiv – a smart city adapting to war As the full-scale Russian invasion surpasses the thousand-day milestone, Ukrainians are keeping the war on the news agenda. One aspect that was discussed at Web Summit is Kyiv's transformation into a self-proclaimed 'smart city', highlighting the increasing availability of digital municipal services for its citizens. Oleg Polovinko, an advisor on digitalization to the mayor of Kyiv, noted that disruption has been a catalyst for innovation and what started as a transport and local authorities app is now a one stop digital information channel for residents. Ania spoke with him just as he received a significant notification on his phone. Ukraine – cyber security global leaders Ukraine is the most targeted country in the world by cyber criminals and is now at the forefront of cyber security technology – that’s according to Iryna Volnytska, the president of SET University. Launched just before the outbreak of war, SET University (Science, Entrepreneurship, and Technology) is now assisting developing start ups and tech businesses to support the country’s economy. Iryna spoke to Ania at Web Summit where she explained that personal data can lead to fatal consequences if it falls into the wrong hands. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz. More on this week's stories: Oleg Polovinko Iryna Volnytska SET University Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz Production Manager: Liz Tuohy For new episodes, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on all the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram Twitter/X If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts Contact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.co Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484 Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tech and the rise of autocracies around the word - a Web Summit Special How has technology helped autocracies rise around the world and can it be used to bring democracy back? Angelica spoke to Venezuelan political activist and opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez about how technology has led to the rise of autocracies around the globe and how it can be used to restore democracy. Somewhere on Earth is at Web Summit Lisbon, alongside more than 70,000 attendees. We speak to Karena Walshe, Head of Impact about what Web Summit is and its influence on tech and the environment. The programme is presented by Angelica Mari and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz. More on this week's stories: Web Summit Lisbon 2024 Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz For new episodes, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or via this link for the PodExtra extended edition: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on social media: Facebook Twitter/X Instagram LinkedIn If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review us Contact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.co Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484 Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How reliable are French language AI Chatbots? French is one of the fastest growing languages in the world. About half of all French speakers live in Africa. It’s the official language in 27 countries. So when you find out that French language AI chatbots give the wrong answer a quarter of the time, that’s a problem given the rising popularity of such bots. The anti-misinformation news organisation NewsGuard have just published a report on this. Ania’s been speaking to Chine Labbé, she’s one of the report’s authors. Using AI to create AI images to train robots Imagine teaching a robot to do parkour without ever letting it see the real world. That's exactly what MIT CSAIL researchers have achieved with their new "LucidSim" system, which uses AI-generated imagery to create virtual training environments. By integrating generative AI with physics simulators, the researchers designed scenarios where robots acquire skills through synthetic data instead of relying on real-world experiences. The outcomes of this research are impressive: robots trained in these machine-generated settings achieved a success rate of 88%, in stark contrast to the mere 15% success rate of those trained by human experts. Furthermore, when the team increased the volume of AI-generated training data, there was a consistent improvement in performance, indicating that enhanced virtual practice correlates with superior real-world capabilities. This methodology addresses a significant challenge in robotics: the reliance on extensive real-world training data. It represents a significant advancement toward creating robots that can swiftly adapt to new tasks and environments. To find out more, Gareth speaks to lead researcher Ge Yang at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz. More on this week's stories: French-Language AI Misinformation Monitor Learning Visual Parkour from Generated Images Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz Production Manager: Liz Tuohy For new episodes, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on all the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram Twitter/X If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts Contact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.co Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484 Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Internet shutdowns in Mozambique following election In Mozambique, eleven people have lost their lives as law enforcement intensified its response to protests that erupted after the elections in October. For the second time within a year, authorities have suspended mobile internet services. Felicia Anthonio, the KeepItOn Campaign Manager at the digital rights organisation Access Now, who is based in Ghana, tells us about the impact. Legal digital ID in Namibia to improve access to services Namibia is implementing a verifiable digital identification system aimed at enabling a greater number of citizens to access online services and participate in various activities - addressing the disparity between those who are digitally connected and those who are not. Namibia, characterized by its vast territory and scattered population, presents challenges for many individuals who must travel to the capital, Windhoek, to obtain an identification card. The absence of such a card significantly hampers their ability to access essential services, including healthcare, education, and banking. In recent years, the United Nations Development Programme has collaborated with the Namibian government to advance the initiative of digital identification. Journalist Abigail Ruth Opiah, a reporter for the Biometric Update news platform tells us more. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz. More on this week's stories: Keep it on Mozambique UNDP transforming lives in Namibia with digital legal ID initiative Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz Production Manager: Liz Tuohy For new episodes, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on all the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram Twitter/X If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts Contact us by email: hello@somewhereonearth.co Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484 Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices