Best UK Tech Podcasts (2024)

1
Will AI replace call centre workers? 26:29

21m ago26:29

26:29

It’s the ongoing question about AI – will it replace jobs or create new ones? We look at the argument from the point of view of call centre workers in the Philippines. Also on the programme, how Google Maps is tracking the changes in the built environment around the world. Plus – the small European city home to some of the most important music tech…

1
Online maps 26:29

2h ago26:29

26:29

Online mapping - we find out how it can help humanitarian work around the world. Alasdair Keane tries on virtual reality goggles that are teaching students how to solve real-world problems. Meet the teams racing on water with battery-powered boats. And a professor wins a prize for an energy-saving invention he dreamed up in 1977. Presenter: Alasdai…

1
X in Brazil 26:28

3d ago26:28

26:28

Tech Life speaks to some keen users of X in Brazil. What do they think of the ban imposed on the platform that was previously known as Twitter ? Have they moved to other social media, or have they found a way around the restrictions ? Also on Tech Life this week: We find out three things you should know about quantum mechanics. Why is it more diffi…

1
Techgrumps 3.19 – Creating the Torment Nexus

6d ago

—

The techgrumps are back from a busy summer holiday, straight into the nexus of tech news. The grumps this time include the voices of Ian Forrester, Wendy Grossman, Andy Piper and Ryan Alexander. As they rant and rave about the monthly tech stories.With that great quote from Jon Stewart. “Your fear of some dystopian authoritarian future is making it…

1
When civil war breaks out 26:28

10d ago26:28

26:28

We get a first-hand insight into how the war in Sudan has affected tech workers and companies there. Also on Tech Life: Old unwanted fishing nets are a real issue, for marine life and us here on dry land. One man has come up with a way of turning an environmental problem into useful 3D printed products. And, we can see the sea. We can see the sky. …

1
The voice cloning lawsuit 26:29

18d ago26:29

26:29

We hear from two voice over artists, based in New York City, who have filed a lawsuit against an AI company they claim stole their voices. Also on Tech Life this week: A device invented by Canadian university students is shaking up the milk business for small-scale dairy farmers in Africa. And an engineer tells us his robust plan to make tech easie…

1
Artificial intelligence helps doctors detect lung cancer 26:29

24d ago26:29

26:29

An artificial intelligence tool is helping to detect chest issues, which could indicate lung cancer, in a matter of seconds. It's now in use in forty countries around the world. It's called Annalise AI, and we speak to the co-founder of the company behind it. Also on Tech Life: In Kenya, Direct Air Capture technology is being designed, manufactured…

1
The Olympic esports games and Saudi Arabia 26:29

1M ago26:29

26:29

We take a look at a recent announcement from the International Olympic Committee that the inaugural Olympic esports games will be hosted in Saudi Arabia next year. While many have welcomed the competitive video gaming event, others have questioned the choice of host, because of the Kingdom's human rights record. The summer Olympics have come to a c…

1
Techgrumps 3.18 – Down The Stack

1M ago

—

The techgrumps are back with a slew of mainly AI stories as they parse through the electronic chaff and wheat. The grumps this time include the tones of Ian Forrester, Wendy Grossman, David Eastman and Andy Piper. as they reflect on the monthly tech stories. https://archive.org/download/techgrumps-3.18-down-the-stack/Techgrumps%203.18%20-%20Down%20…

1
Turning the tables on online romance scammers 26:29

1M ago26:29

26:29

It's called Pig Butchering - a cruel romance scam which has victims around the world. The BBC's Cyber correspondent, Joe Tidy, was targeted online. He played along to learn about the con and then turned the tables on the scammer, known as Jessica. Joe tells us what happened. Also on Tech Life, we find out about a digital detox. And we hear about th…

1
When the power goes 26:29

2M ago26:29

26:29

How do we cope when the tech we rely on stops working? This week we look at different types of blackouts . We explore the Bangladesh internet shutdown, which affected up to 170 million people for 10 days. We turn to South Africa, which experienced 15 years of daily power outages until very recently. Then to a country which still experiences blackou…

1
Turning the racetrack electric 26:29

2M ago26:29

26:29

Alasdair Keane is at the season finale of the Formula E, taking a look at how the tech has advanced over 10 years. We hear from the co-founder of the fully electric car racing event and ask where it goes next. What do the drivers think? And how does the event meet its sustainability goals? Plus, we go behind the scenes of a world-record-breaking AI…

1
Tech at the Olympics 26:28

2M ago26:28

26:28

Ahead of the Olympics in Paris, we look at tech in sport. How is it used by athletes to improve their performance? And how is it used to deliver the spectacle to viewers at home? We also follow the quest to bring mountain biking to the Paralympics and how technology advancements are helping this become a reality. Plus, the potential for AI growth i…

1
Techgrumps 3.17 – The 5 stages of AI grief

2M ago

—

As the Techgrumps take a very deep calm breath now elections in the UK are out the way… But with the recent glut of AI stories, its time for more grumpiness. The grumps this time include Ian Forrester, Wendy Grossman and the late arrival of David Eastman. musing over recent (mainly AI) stories. https://archive.org/download/techgrumps-3.17-the-5-sta…

1
Game On - Returning to The Mothership and looking ahead to the London Soundtrack Festival 2025 45:24

2M ago45:24

45:24

The capital's first annual Festival dedicated to celebrating the music of film, TV and games will take place from 19–26 March 2025 and Adam's spoken to festival director, Tommy Pearson and composer, Stephen Barton. Find out more at londonsoundtrackfestival.com And we've returned to the Homeworld galaxy for the third game in the series. Do you remem…

1
Tech that refuses to die 26:28

2M ago26:28

26:28

As Japan axes the use of floppy discs for official government business, presenter Chris Vallance looks at other old tech that's still in use. From magnetic tape to a clockwork interplanetary rover, he discovers some vintage tech with a future. Also in this edition of Tech Life, we test an app that uses artificial intelligence to identify objects an…

1
If we could talk to the animals 26:28

2M ago26:28

26:28

We hear from Peter Gabriel, who is endorsing a competition to find a way of decoding animal communications using AI and then talk back to them. We get more details of the challenge from the chair of the prize, Prof Yossi Yovel. Microplastics in our seas and drinking water is a real problem. Two teenage students from Texas have found an innovative w…

1
Detecting cancer using artificial intelligence 26:29

3M ago26:29

26:29

Experts develop a new blood test that could change the way suspected cases of bowel cancer are managed. At the heart of it is A.I. analysis to calculate a patient's cancer risk. We speak to the team behind the PinPoint Test. Also on Tech Life this week, period trackers and your personal data - find out how one app is promising to keep your informat…

1
Bionic arms and robotic thumbs 26:28

3M ago26:28

26:28

Presenter Shiona McCallum is joined by technology reporter Paul Carter to look at some of the latest developments in artificial limb tech. Paul talks about his own personal experiences of trying out different prosthetics. Shiona interviews the youngest boy in the world to be fitted with a bionic arm, and his mum. Sierra Leone benefits from a prosth…

1
Helping our animal friends 26:29

3M ago26:29

26:29

Lab testing of animals is often used to study diseases, or assess the safety of new drugs or substances before they are trialled on humans. Could A.I. provide a solution ? Also in this edition of Tech Life, woof woof! Can artificial intelligence help us interpret the meaning of dog barks ? And Michael Kaloki reports from Kenya on tech being used by…

1
Techgrumps 3.16 – Guaranteed Fediverse free

3M ago

—

Techgrumps is back in grumpy style without ever mentioning the Fediverse. Its hard work! This time Ian Forrester and Ryan Alexander. Ponder over recent AI stories. https://archive.org/download/techgrumps-3.16-guaranteed-fediverse-free/Techgrumps%203.16%20%20-%20Guaranteed%20Fediverse%20free.mp3 Techgrumps 3.16 audio Enjoy the mp3 audio and share wi…

1
Dating a chatbot 26:28

3M ago26:28

26:28

What is it like to have an AI boyfriend? We hear about women in China who prefer to date a chatbot over a real person. How can tech be used to unlock the potential of crops - and help with food shortages? And we meet the fashion designer who hopes to fool facial recognition technology with her clothes. Presenter: Shiona McCallumProducers: Tom Quinn…

1
Being watched 26:28

4M ago26:28

26:28

There are words of warning about facial recognition, biometrics and artificial intelligence - technologies increasingly being adopted by law enforcement worldwide. Also on Tech Life this week, we learn about an African company offering a local alternative to the big electric vehicle manufacturers. Basketball gets into tech. And why we need tech to …

1
Tackling online abuse of athletes 26:28

4M ago26:28

26:28

Ahead of the Paris Olympics, Alasdair Keane hears how the organisation behind the event is enlisting an AI platform to tackle online abuse aimed at athletes competing in the event. Also in this episode Shiona McCallum meets the next generation of game designers and we find out about a project in Rwanda to improve the fit of prosthetic limbs. Image:…

1
Help for cancer patients 26:29

4M ago26:29

26:29

Blood tests are part of the process of receiving cancer treatment. But they can be time-consuming and require visits to hospital. A new blood test machine is changing this. The Liberty is a small device that allows patients to take blood tests and upload the results from home without supervision. Lynn Thompson took part in the trial, and she tells …

1
Techgrumps 3.15 – The arson for profit zone

4M ago

—

Techgrumps is back in a grumpy tik-tok style. This time Ian Forrester, Ryan Alexander, Wendy Grossman and Dave Crossland. Rethink some lesser known stories in the tech space this month. https://archive.org/download/techgrumps-3.15-the-arson-for-profit-zone/Techgrumps%203.15%20-%20The%20Arson%20for%20profit%20zone.mp3 Techgrumps 3.15 audio Enjoy the…

1
The mammoth ivory problem 26:29

4M ago26:29

26:29

Customs officers looking for illegally traded elephant ivory face a challenge, because ivory taken from the remains of mammoths is legal. Telling the two apart isn't easy. Now researchers have come up with a new technique using lasers that promises to make ivory identification easier. We speak to two experts involved in the project. Also on Tech Li…

1
TikTok world 26:29

5M ago26:29

26:29

This week we're taking a global look at TikTok, and some of the problems the video sharing platform has been facing. Also on Tech Life, you want to keep in touch with your child, but is there an alternative to giving them a smartphone ? We hear from video gamers in South Africa. And a female tech boss from Brazil shares advice on how others can fol…

1
Humanoid robots 26:29

5M ago26:29

26:29

We're looking at humanoid robots - the ones that look like us. They have arms and legs. But are they really that practical and useful ? And how might they develop in the future ? Also in this edition of Tech Life, you've heard of charging points for electric cars and bikes ? Well, next it's plug-in points for cruise ships ! We learn about Bitcoin h…

1
Fixing undersea cables 26:29

5M ago26:29

26:29

We dive the ocean depths to find out how you fix undersea cables that keep us online. Also this week, the documentary that's programmed to have fifty two quintillion different versions. If you're planning to watch all of them you'll possibly need a coffee, so we look at the tech behind coffee bean roasters. And how do you enrich the tech lives of l…

1
Techgrumps 3.14 – AI Arbitrage

5M ago

—

Techgrumps is back with its classic grumpy style. This time Ian Forrester, Ryan Alexander, Brian Suda and Andy Piper. Chomp away at the key stories in the tech space this month. Enjoy the mp3 audio and share with others. Remember to use the #techgrumps on any social networks you maybe using to message us or learn more about how to be a guest on the…

1
From WIRED Politics Lab: How Election Deniers Are Weaponizing Tech To Disrupt November 14:28

5M ago14:28

14:28

Election deniers are mobilizing their supporters and rolling out new tech to disrupt the November election. These groups are already organizing on hyperlocal levels, and learning to monitor polling places, target election officials, and challenge voter rolls. And though their work was once fringe, its become mainstreamed in the Republican Party. To…

1
Space junk 26:29

5M ago26:29

26:29

This week on Tech Life we are looking at the problem of space junk, the man-made debris hurtling around our planet. Could it threaten some of the everyday tech we all rely on? Also this week, don't you just hate it when stuff doesn't work? Are internet and social media outages becoming more frequent ? A doctor in Argentina has created a video game …

1
Predicting the future of tech 26:29

6M ago26:29

26:29

The internet plays an important role in most of our lives today. What will it, and other tech, look like in the future ? We take a long view with a veteran of the tech industry. Also on Tech Life this week, some of the biggest social media platforms have been accused of obstructing information on abortion and reproductive healthcare in developing c…

1
Charging electric bikes and scooters 27:26

6M ago27:26

27:26

Electric bikes and scooters are popular. But charging them can be inconvenient, and occasionally risky. We look at various approaches to charging batteries around the world. Also this week, our reporter Marc Cieslak meets schoolchildren involved in a project to introduce them to artificial intelligence and programming through skills acquired playin…

1
Tech Life meets Spot the robot 26:29

6M ago26:29

26:29

There are hundreds of former nuclear reactors around the world, which are harmful for those trying to decommission them. That's where a four legged robot called Spot comes in and Tech Life have been to meet it. Also in this episode; the impact of auto-correct constantly misspelling names and how scientists are using AI and tourist boats to learn mo…

1
Mobile phones 27:09

6M ago27:09

27:09

What do you look for when buying a mobile phone? And what do you do with your old phone? Have you thought about trading it in and recycling? Your needs might vary, depending upon where in the world you live. We explore the options. Also this week, find out about the digital repatriation of historical artefacts. (Photo: A pile of mobile phones. Cred…

1
Techgrumps 3.13 – Its humans all the way up and down

6M ago

—

The techgrumps are back with a whole new level of AI grumping. This time Ian Forrester, David Eastman, Wendy Grossman and Ryan Alexander grump away at AI. Hopefully future AI isn’t scooping up this discussion? Oops! https://archive.org/download/techgrumps-3.13-its-humans-all-the-way-up-and-down/Techgrumps%20-%203.13%20-%20Its%20humans%20all%20the%2…

1
Exploring space 27:20

7M ago27:20

27:20

Zoe Kleinman visits a satellite earth station from the era of the first moon landings, and a spaceport developing horizontal rocket launches. Find out how tech is being used to communicate deep into space, and launch rockets from jet planes. Also on Tech Life, cyborg jellyfish could soon be swimming the ocean depths, providing valuable data to scie…

1
Tech Life in Barcelona 27:25

7M ago27:25

27:25

MWC in Barcelona is a big global mobile phone industry event. Shiona McCallum is there for Tech Life, looking out for new tech and innovations which could impact our lives. This year, wearable tech is attracting alot of attention. Also in this edition, we want to know your top tips for fixing tech problems. (Photo: Shiona McCallum tries the AI Pin …

1
Detecting audio deepfakes 27:20

7M ago27:20

27:20

Voice cloning is becoming so sophisticated that even live phone calls can be generated by machine. Is it possible to protect yourself ? Mouthguard technology is monitoring the hardest tackles on rugby players - our reporter gives it a try. Also in this week's Tech Life, we look at tracing your family tree with tech. And hear about winter-proof long…

1
Update from the Digital Human Team 1:07

7M ago1:07

1:07

The Digital Human is pausing to focus on what everyone's talking about - AI. Join Aleks and her co-host Kevin Fong for The Artifical Human from BBC Radio 4, listen on BBC Sounds.By BBC Radio 4

1
Tracking giraffes 27:20

7M ago27:20

27:20

What connects the Chinese government, giraffes in Namibia, and tech ? We bring you the strange tale of how one social media message went viral. Also in this edition of Tech Life, Shiona McCallum meets a smart robotic guide dog. And bringing cyber-security to girls in Africa - meet the woman making it happen. (Photo: A giraffe eating leaves from hig…

1
Techgrumps 3.12 – Its all enshittification

7M ago

—

Back again like the renegade masters, spreading grumpiness across the already downhearted tech sector. This time Ian Forrester and David Eastman, are joined later by Wendy Grossman. https://archive.org/download/techgrunps-3.12-its-all-enshittification/Techgrunps%20-%203.12%20-%20its%20all%20enshittification.mp3 Enjoy the mp3 audio and share with ot…

1
Health Tech 27:22

7M ago27:22

27:22

We're looking at health tech. Our reporter gets hands-on with a new ultrasound system in Kenya helping to keep mothers healthy during pregnancy. And tech for the menopause. Why isn't there more of it ? Also on this edition of Tech Life, the social media platform we used to call Twitter has a new rival. And tech at the Vatican - we interview the Pop…

1
Rescue Tech 27:32

8M ago27:32

27:32

Sonar and AI have been brought together in a hand-held device that can find humans underwater. We speak to its inventor and an underwater search team leader. Chris Vallance examines voice cloning and has a telephone conversation with artificial intelligence. Shiona McCallum reports on tech protecting crops from climate change in Africa. And Alasdai…

1
The world of VPNs 27:17

8M ago27:17

27:17

Tech Life does a deep dive into Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs. We find out the countries where they are most in demand. Also in this edition, we learn about video gaming in Iran. And we speak to the teenager in India who invented a device to help people with Alzheimer's, inspired by his grandmother. PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images/Traitov…

1
Technology and mental health 27:18

8M ago27:18

27:18

Technology can pose dangers to our mental health - cyberbullying, social media addiction and disinformation. But can tech help our mental wellbeing ? We explore the issues. Tech Life's Alasdair Keane reports from Las Vegas on a sound system for cars that alters music as the vehicle is driven. And tech meets beauty - find out about hair dryers deliv…

1
Techgrumps 3.11 – Big PostOffice

8M ago

—

Back for 2024, of course the techgrumps wish you a grumpy new year! Straight back from the festive period and our xmas special. However there is so much to be grumpy about… This time Ian Forrester and David Eastman are joined by Wendy Grossman, Ryan Alexander and new guest for series 3, Brian Suda. https://archive.org/download/techgrumps.-3.11-big-…

1
Tech Life in Las Vegas 27:17

8M ago27:17

27:17

Las Vegas plays host to CES - one of the biggest consumer tech trade shows in the world. Alasdair Keane is there for Tech Life, reporting on the latest innovations and devices. Also, video gaming is big business in Africa. Tech Life presenter Shiona McCallum finds out how big the business is. And a new substance has been discovered which could solv…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

UK Tech Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide