Best Ars Electronica Podcasts (2024)

1
Do we need new laws to control AI? Also the Prix Ars Electronica 2024 winner speaks to SOEP 35:03

1h ago35:03

35:03

Send us a Text Message. Do we need new laws to control AI? Will current legislation be sufficient to control the development of AI? How is AI affecting our human rights? Is AI good enough to draft legal submissions? Does automation bias make us want to trust the technology more than we should? These are just some the of questions SOEP is asking int…

1
🔒 Do we need new laws to control AI? Also the the Prix Ars Electronica 2024 winner speaks to SOEP 49:07

4h ago49:07

49:07

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. Do we need new laws to control AI? Will current legislation be sufficient to control the development of AI? How is AI affecting our human rights? Is AI good enough to draft legal submissions? Does automation bias make us want to trust the technology more than we should? These are just some the of ques…

1
🔒 Using AI to identify threats to human rights and political activists 42:40

3d ago42:40

42:40

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. Using AI to identify threats to human rights and political activists Political activities such as hustings, campaigns and voting are well underway in many countries, but alongside these come incidents of reprisals and voter intimidation in certain regions. Ushahidi is an NGO based in Kenya that maps t…

1
Using AI to identify threats to human rights and political activists 31:13

3d ago31:13

31:13

Send us a Text Message. Using AI to identify threats to human rights and political activists Political activities such as hustings, campaigns and voting are well underway in many countries, but alongside these come incidents of reprisals and voter intimidation in certain regions. Ushahidi is an NGO based in Kenya that maps these incidents. They’ve …

1
Gen Z, Millennials, technology and the Nairobi protests 27:25

12d ago27:25

27:25

Send us a Text Message. Gen Z, Millennials, technology and the Nairobi protests Following a tumultuous – and violent – series of days in Kenya, President Ruto has reversed his decision on tax hikes that sparked unrest in the streets. The situation has been extremely dire – with law enforcement resorting to tear gas and firearms. Amnesty Internation…

1
🔒 Gen Z, Millennials, technology and the Nairobi protests 35:19

12d ago35:19

35:19

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. Gen Z, Millennials, technology and the Nairobi protests Following a tumultuous – and violent – series of days in Kenya, President Ruto has reversed his decision on tax hikes that sparked unrest in the streets. The situation has been extremely dire – with law enforcement resorting to tear gas and firea…

1
Detecting cancer at the DNA level with AI 34:45

19d ago34:45

34:45

Send us a Text Message. Detecting cancer at the DNA level with AI New research shows that cancer could be detected in the very building blocks of life – our DNA, possibly leading to a diagnosis when the disease is in its infancy. Dr. Shamith Samara-jiwa from Imperial College London is on the show to discuss how AI can be used to detect tiny changes…

1
🔒 Detecting cancer at the DNA level with AI 47:50

19d ago47:50

47:50

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. Detecting cancer at the DNA level with AI New research shows that cancer could be detected in the very building blocks of life – our DNA, possibly leading to a diagnosis when the disease is in its infancy. Dr. Shamith Samarajiwa from Imperial College London is on the show to discuss how AI can be used…

1
Podextra - how you can get a bit more of Somewhere on Earth... 1:23

20d ago1:23

1:23

Send us a Text Message. 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. That's ju…

1
Who is behind the big hack attacks? 24:21

28d ago24:21

24:21

Send us a Text Message. Who is behind the big hack attacks? More than 100 organisations around the world are believed to have been hacked in ransomware attacks since 2022 by a single hacker group. The most recent occurrence of a ransomware attack was on a company responsible for analysing blood tests for the UK's National Health Service which promp…

1
🔒 Who is behind the big hack attacks? 34:52

28d ago34:52

34:52

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. Who is behind the big hack attacks? More than 100 organisations around the world are believed to have been hacked in ransomware attacks since 2022 by a single hacker group. The most recent occurrence of a ransomware attack was on a company responsible for analysing blood tests for the UK's National He…

1
Rare earth element boom poisoning Myanmar 27:53

1M ago27:53

27:53

Send us a Text Message. Rare earth element boom poisoning Myanmar Growing demand for electric vehicles and wind turbines might look good for emissions, but there’s an environmental cost too. Regions, habitats and livelihoods in Myanmar are facing significant damage because the surge in demand for permanent magnets is driving up mining for rare eart…

1
🔒 Rare earth element boom poisoning Myanmar - Subscriber Extra 35:28

1M ago35:28

35:28

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. Rare earth element boom poisoning Myanmar Growing demand for electric vehicles and wind turbines might look good for emissions, but there’s an environmental cost too. Regions, habitats and livelihoods in Myanmar are facing significant damage because the surge in demand for permanent magnets is driving…

1
🔒 Millions of gallons of water needed for new data centres in Chile during 30 year drought - Subscriber Extra 37:42

1M ago37:42

37:42

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. Millions of gallons of water needed for new data centres in Chile during 30 year drought Chile looks set to become the data centre capital of Latin America, with the country’s President announcing another 28 proposed developments. But these data centres require vast amounts of electricity to run and h…

1
Millions of gallons of water needed for new data centres in Chile during 30 year drought 27:53

1M ago27:53

27:53

Send us a Text Message. Millions of gallons of water needed for new data centres in Chile during 30 year drought Chile looks set to become the data centre capital of Latin America, with the country’s President announcing another 28 proposed developments. But these data centres require vast amounts of electricity to run and huge volumes of water to …

1
Regendering Technology with Prof. Judy Wajcman & Silvia Binda 33:05

1M ago33:05

33:05

Send us a Text Message. In this episode, we look at the historical entanglements of technology and gender. Made in the image of their (often male) designers, technologies end up serving and reproducing patriarchal systems. How can technology finally "undergo a sex change" to overcome its current gender inscriptions? What political imaginaries make …

1
Technology is not the problem (we are)… 35:17

2M ago35:17

35:17

Send us a Text Message. Technology is not the problem (we are)… Can we really lay the blame for our problems to the rise of technology or should be take responsibility for our actions and how we are choosing not to relate to the world around us? Author, tech journalist and comedian Timandra Harkness is on the show to challenge the way we think and …

1
🔒 Technology is not the problem (we are)… 45:47

2M ago45:47

45:47

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. Technology is not the problem (we are)… Can we really lay the blame for our problems to the rise of technology or should be take responsibility for our actions and how we are choosing not to relate to the world around us? Author, tech journalist and comedian Timandra Harkness is on the show to challen…

1
Indian Elections; deep fakes, false memes, and misinformation galore 28:58

2M ago28:58

28:58

Send us a Text Message. Indian Elections; deep fakes, false memes, and misinformation galore Resurrecting dead politicians in election campaigns online may sound unbelievable, but in the Indian elections it seems that almost anything is possible. From deep fakes and AI meme wars to bogus audio messages, Bangalore based investigative journalist Nile…

1
🔒 Indian Elections; deep fakes, false memes, and misinformation galore - Subscriber Extra 38:00

2M ago38:00

38:00

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. Indian Elections; deep fakes, false memes, and misinformation galore Resurrecting dead politicians in election campaigns online may sound unbelievable, but in the Indian elections it seems that almost anything is possible. From deep fakes and AI meme wars to bogus audio messages, Bangalore based inves…

1
How AI is saving lives and languages in Ghana 31:23

2M ago31:23

31:23

Send us a Text Message. How AI is saving lives and languages in Ghana In general, people in the developing world are optimistic about the potential of AI. Of course, there are some concerns about job security and fairness, but overall, the positive outlook outweighs the negative. However, this is not the case in countries like Ghana, where suspicio…

1
🔒 How AI is saving lives and languages in Ghana - Subscriber Extra 40:25

2M ago40:25

40:25

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. How AI is saving lives and languages in Ghana In general, people in the developing world are optimistic about the potential of AI. Of course, there are some concerns about job security and fairness, but overall, the positive outlook outweighs the negative. However, this is not the case in countries li…

1
Can ‘small’ AI have a huge impact in sub Saharan Africa? 29:58

2M ago29:58

29:58

Send us a Text Message. Can ‘small’ AI have a huge impact in sub Saharan Africa? Artificial intelligence is usually fed with large datasets allowing the technology to create what should be well balanced algorithms – but what happens when large data sets aren’t available or the impact of the AI could have a very significant impact on people’s lives?…

1
🔒 Can ‘small’ AI have a huge impact in sub Saharan Africa? Subscriber Extra 42:08

2M ago42:08

42:08

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. Can ‘small’ AI have a huge impact in sub Saharan Africa? Artificial intelligence is usually fed with large datasets allowing the technology to create what should be well balanced algorithms – but what happens when large data sets aren’t available or the impact of the AI could have a very significant i…

1
AI for peace – using artificial intelligence to manage conflict and maintain peace 28:47

3M ago28:47

28:47

Send us a Text Message. AI for peace – using artificial intelligence to manage conflict and maintain peace With numerous ongoing conflicts in places like Sudan, Israel-Iran, Gaza, Ukraine, and Syria, peace can seem scarce in today's world. However, artificial intelligence could play a role is managing wars. A new book titled “AI for Peace” provides…

1
🔒 AI for peace – using artificial intelligence to manage conflict and maintain peace: Subscriber Extra 40:39

3M ago40:39

40:39

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. AI for peace – using artificial intelligence to manage conflict and maintain peace With numerous ongoing conflicts in places like Sudan, Israel-Iran, Gaza, Ukraine, and Syria, peace can seem scarce in today's world. However, artificial intelligence could play a role is managing wars. A new book titled…

1
🔒 World Cybercrime Index – Where are the cybercriminals hiding? Subscriber Extra 54:55

3M ago54:55

54:55

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. World Cybercrime Index – Where are the cybercriminals hiding? Russia leads the list of countries that host cybercrime, followed by Ukraine, China, the USA, Nigeria and Romania, according to a new study by an international team of researchers. The findings come from anonymous questionnaires completed b…

1
World Cybercrime Index – Where are the cybercriminals hiding? 31:07

3M ago31:07

31:07

Send us a Text Message. World Cybercrime Index – Where are the cybercriminals hiding? Russia leads the list of countries that host cybercrime, followed by Ukraine, China, the USA, Nigeria and Romania, according to a new study by an international team of researchers. The findings come from anonymous questionnaires completed by ninety-two cybercrime …

1
Shout out for our PodExtra Edition 1:23

3M ago1:23

1:23

Send us a Text Message. Dear Lovely SOEP listener, Just a little shout out to remind you that we also do a PodExtra version of the show. For just $10US a month you can hear more of our guests and even new stories, as well as even more chat between Gareth and our studio experts. We know it's a big ask but we really do appreciate all your support. Ju…

1
Is crypto currency supporting terrorism? 35:47

3M ago35:47

35:47

Send us a Text Message. Is crypto currency supporting terrorism? With the phasing out of cash transactions we’ve seen a rise in digital and other transactions. One of the currencies that’s in the ascendancy are crypto currencies, whose place in the market according to Forbes magazine, has shifted from one of fear to neutral, and now to greed. In ot…

1
🔒 Is crypto currency supporting terrorism? Subscriber Extra 50:23

3M ago50:23

50:23

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. Is crypto currency supporting terrorism? With the phasing out of cash transactions we’ve seen a rise in digital and other transactions. One of the currencies that’s in the ascendancy are crypto currencies, whose place in the market according to Forbes magazine, has shifted from one of fear to neutral,…

1
Tech stories that matter – what should we be reporting on? 12:52

3M ago12:52

12:52

Send us a Text Message. Tech stories that matter – what should we be reporting on? A little extra episode for our lovely SOEP Subscribers. Just over a year ago the BBC axed its flagship global tech radio show – Digital Planet. A few of the listeners (we did have 1.5million downloads a year BTW) got together in London to reminisce and remember the p…

1
🔒 YouTube approves disinformation ads in India in run up to election - Subscriber Extra 48:49

3M ago48:49

48:49

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. YouTube approves disinformation ads in India in run up to election A recent joint investigation conducted by Access Now and Global Witness reveals that YouTube is giving its approval to election disinformation ads in India prior to the country's general election. The investigation "Votes will not be c…

1
YouTube approves disinformation ads in India in run up to election 35:29

3M ago35:29

35:29

Send us a Text Message. YouTube approves disinformation ads in India in run up to election A recent joint investigation conducted by Access Now and Global Witness reveals that YouTube is giving its approval to election disinformation ads in India prior to the country's general election. The investigation "Votes will not be counted", discovered that…

1
SOEP meets Dame Steve Shirley – a coding female pioneer 35:40

4M ago35:40

35:40

Send us a Text Message. SOEP meets Dame Steve Shirley – a coding female pioneer Dame Stephanie (Steve) Shirley is a game changer in whatever she does and we were delighted that she agreed to chat to Somewhere on Earth. She arrived in England as an unaccompanied child refugee on the Kindertransport in 1939. She convinced her all girls’ school to all…

1
🔒 SOEP meets Dame Steve Shirley – a coding female pioneer - Subscriber Extra 50:00

4M ago50:00

50:00

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. SOEP meets Dame Steve Shirley – a coding female pioneer Dame Stephanie (Steve) Shirley is a game changer in whatever she does and we were delighted that she agreed to chat to Somewhere on Earth. She arrived in England as an unaccompanied child refugee on the Kindertransport in 1939. She convinced her …

1
West Africa Internet – when will it be fixed? 31:44

4M ago31:44

31:44

Send us a Text Message. West Africa Internet – when will it be fixed? As many as a dozen countries across West and Central Africa were cut off from the internet and are still experiencing significant connection issues following damage to submarine cables. Now a repair ship is enroute to fix the damage, but it will be some time before services ret…

1
🔒 West Africa Internet – when will it be fixed? Subscriber Extra 44:58

4M ago44:58

44:58

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. West Africa Internet – when will it be fixed? As many as a dozen countries across West and Central Africa were cut off from the internet and are still experiencing significant connection issues following damage to submarine cables. Now a repair ship is enroute to fix the damage, but it will be some …

1
Truth Preachers with Marta Peirano, Nina Jankowitz & Fabian Scheidler 32:02

4M ago32:02

32:02

Send us a Text Message. The changes in how information is collected, produced, and disseminated leave their mark on the way information is consumed. This episode unpacks the qualitative shifts the algorithmic dissemination of information has brought to the media landscape and how in turn that affects citizens and their engagement with the democrati…

1
AI for Africa – one young female scientist’s drive to develop solutions 30:51

4M ago30:51

30:51

Send us a Text Message. AI for Africa – one young female scientist’s drive to develop solutions We meet Rokhaya Diagne, a twenty something AI developer and entrepreneur who is using AI to overcome Africa’s specific challenges. She’s currently creating a diagnostic platform for malaria in Senegal as well as using underwater drones to map and monitor…

1
🔒 AI for Africa – one young female scientist’s drive to develop solutions - Subscriber Extra 41:51

4M ago41:51

41:51

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. AI for Africa – one young female scientist’s drive to develop solutions We meet Rokhaya Diagne, a twenty something AI developer and entrepreneur who is using AI to overcome Africa’s specific challenges. She’s currently creating a diagnostic platform for malaria in Senegal as well as using underwater d…

1
Anti-poaching tech – does it work? 30:01

4M ago30:01

30:01

Send us a Text Message. Anti-poaching tech – does it work? Anti-poaching initiatives are making increasing use of technology, such as infrared thermography but with an array of tech out there, what should governments, wildlife charities and NGO’s be using? Professor Adam Hart, from the University of Gloucestershire, is a conservationist who’s been …

1
🔒 Anti-poaching tech – does it work? Subscriber Extra 35:17

4M ago35:17

35:17

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. Anti-poaching tech – does it work? Anti-poaching initiatives are making increasing use of technology, such as infrared thermography but with an array of tech out there, what should governments, wildlife charities and NGO’s be using? Professor Adam Hart, from the University of Gloucestershire, is a con…

1
Making America e-smart - Digitising public life in the US 29:31

4M ago29:31

29:31

Send us a Text Message. Digitising public life in the US – making America e-smart Many governments and local authorities around the world have moved many, if not all their public services online, from filing tax returns to e-passports and food assistance schemes. However, the United States is lagging behind, with many civic services providing lengt…

1
🔒 Making America e-smart - Digitising public life in the US - Subscriber Extra 45:41

4M ago45:41

45:41

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. Digitising public life in the US – making America e-smart Many governments and local authorities around the world have moved many, if not all their public services online, from filing tax returns to e-passports and food assistance schemes. However, the United States is lagging behind, with many civic …

1
Jimmy Wales - The Wiki Guy - answers your questions 41:50

5M ago41:50

41:50

Send us a Text Message. Jimmy Wales - Wikipedia co-founder - answers your questions We speak to the one and only “Wiki Guy” as even he describes himself. Wikipedia and Wikimedia co-founder Jimmy Wales joins Gareth and Ghislaine on the show. He will be talking about his new project called Trust Café and answering your questions on amongst other thin…

1
🔒 Jimmy Wales - The Wiki Guy - answers your questions - Subscriber Extra 1:01:27

5M ago1:01:27

1:01:27

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. Jimmy Wales - Wikipedia co-founder - answers your questions We speak to the one and only “Wiki Guy” as even he describes himself. Wikipedia and Wikimedia co-founder Jimmy Wales joins Gareth and Ghislaine on the show. He will be talking about his new project called Trust Café and answering your questio…

1
A gentle ask for your (financial) support 1:23

5M ago1:23

1:23

Send us a Text Message. A gentle ask for your (financial) support Dear lovely Somewhere on Earth Subscribers (or SOEPSUDS for short) here's a short message from Gareth, reminding you about our podextra shows. For $10US a month, you can hear extended interviews from our guests, details about how they came to be where they are now and even some new a…

1
Tech in Ukraine after two years of war 27:54

5M ago27:54

27:54

Send us a Text Message. Tech in Ukraine after two years of war Two years ago Russia invaded Ukraine and in that time, the country’s already booming tech sector has adapted and changed rapidly. In 2022 it was service led, providing IT development for companies outside its borders. Now though things have changed significantly and not only are the tec…

1
🔒 Tech in Ukraine after two years of war - Subscriber Extra 37:28

5M ago37:28

37:28

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. Tech in Ukraine after two years of war Two years ago Russia invaded Ukraine and in that time, the country’s already booming tech sector has adapted and changed rapidly. In 2022 it was service led, providing IT development for companies outside its borders. Now though things have changed significantly …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Ars Electronica Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide