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Technology

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 g... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes358Founded12 years ago
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Latest Episodes

We speak to Google about the introduction of artificial intelligence into classroom learning, and what they think this will mean for teachers and pupils.

Also this week: Shiona McCallum reports on a new artificial limb which is making a big differen... more

From fears that a powerful new AI could supercharge hacking, to the ransomware gangs holding our data hostage, we talk to a former FBI expert about the latest cyber threats.

Also in Tech Life this week: we hear from a listener who is using dermatolo... more

Drivers and cyclists know the dangers of potholes and broken road signs. A Swedish company is fitting vehicles with cameras, and using AI to spot potential problems and defects. We speak to the CEO to find out how it works.

Also in Tech Life this we... more

An anti-snoring device is being trialled as a potential solution to sleep apnoea, a condition which affects millions and can have wide-ranging consequences on daily life. We speak to the team behind the trial. Also on the programme, two health tech e... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Ben Gomes
Chief Technologist for Learning and Sustainability at Google
Google
Episode: Teaching in the AI world
Adelaide de Vecchi
Academic at King's College London, leads digital twins research in healthcare
King's College London
Episode: Teaching in the AI world
Mark Palmer
Lead chief technologist for healthcare at Synopsys
Synopsys
Episode: Teaching in the AI world
Fergal Mackey
Co-founder of Metacarpal, developer of the GEM hand
Metacarpal
Episode: Teaching in the AI world
Jim Ashworth-Bolmont
Prosthetics user and professional in the field
Self/Prosthetics user and advocate
Episode: Teaching in the AI world
Cynthia Kaiser
Former Deputy Assistant Director, FBI Cyber Division; Halcyon Ransomware Research Center
Halcyon Ransomware Research Center / FBI
Episode: Myth or mythos: Is the AI cyber threat real?
Simon Baud
Tech Life listener in Sydney, educator and PhD candidate
Independent Educator / PhD Candidate
Episode: Myth or mythos: Is the AI cyber threat real?
Jonathan Selby
CEO of Universes, Stockholm-based computer-vision expert
Universes
Episode: The AI pothole hunter
Nate Zeleki
Self-taught app developer; winner of AWS Global Innovation Award for Ivy
Independent developer / Ivy
Episode: The AI pothole hunter

Hosts

Shona McCallum
Host of Tech Life; focus on tech policy, AI, health tech, and consumer gadgets.
Chris Vallance
Presenter focusing on tech news, AI developments, and consumer technology; engages with guests across policy, industry, and research.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 465 ratings
  • Dreadful BBC drivel, shame.

    This podcast replaced Digital Planet which was very interesting and had great presenters until it started to push the BBC’s propaganda. Tech Life has taken over and it’s now just wall-to-wall boring chat with lifeless presenters. The BBC pushing their political views and dressing it up as a Tech show. Unsubscribed.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    colwright3
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • There's a real potential here based on the topics chosen, but sadly there is virtually no depth of analysis or questioning of the subject on the part of the hosts beyond the most perfunctory and introductory of levels.

    Most of the episodes are instead taken up by tangential personal stories from the presenters coupled with listener mail which is read to everyone with their thanks, but so far none has been actually investigated or answered.

    Podcast Addict
    3
    MCMH
    10 months ago
  • Very poor journalism

    Disappointing from the BBC. Nothing new, no insights, no in depth reporting, just very basic tech stories that are either old or reported much better elsewhere. Recommend “Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast” instead.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Vilnius girl
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Hahahaha!

    What a shame - after more than four years this BBC podcast has received only 11 ratings.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    phuk azure
    New Zealand2 years ago
  • Not a patch on Digital Planet

    I tried to get into this show but it’s just not a patch on the (stupidly) cancelled Digital Planet.

    Fortunately, Gareth and the team took their rejection by the BBC on the chin and have started up their own replacement for DP called Somewhere on Earth - The Global Tech Podcast.

    It’s brilliant, has most of the same team, and just feels like the old wonderful Digital Planet.

    I strongly suggest that any fans of DP look it up and subscribe to the podcasts!

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    SamQ
    Australia3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critics cite perceived bias and inconsistent download availability.
Audience appreciates concise, bite-sized episodes with practical takeaways.
Positive feedback highlights strong guest lineups and accessible explanations.
Listeners want deeper technical discussion and credible guest expertise.
Critiques point to variable production quality and perceived redundancy.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#46
United Kingdom/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#199
Australia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#32
New Zealand/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#38
Indonesia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#51
Russia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#52
Hong Kong/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Myth or mythos: Is the AI cyber threat real?
Q: Why is labeling ransomware operators as terrorists considered helpful?
Labeling can unlock enhanced intelligence sharing and international cooperation, increasing pressure on hosting countries to take action and potentially enabling more aggressive disruption of criminal networks.
Myth or mythos: Is the AI cyber threat real?
Q: What practical steps should organizations take to defend against AI-enabled cyber threats?
Adopt defense in depth, baseline network behavior to detect anomalies, segment networks to limit movement, and ensure rapid patching and coordinated incident response across partners and law enforcement.
Myth or mythos: Is the AI cyber threat real?
Q: So how safe are the systems we all depend on?
Experts acknowledge that while Mythos can uncover numerous vulnerabilities, the sheer volume and speed require layered defenses and proactive governance, as well as ongoing collaboration between industry and government to patch and protect networks.
Could this tech help millions of us sleep better?
Q: What is the Zeus Sleep device and how does it work?
It is a small, under-chin device that uses electrical stimulation to gently pull the tongue forward, opening the airway during sleep and reducing sleep apnea events, with a focus on non-invasiveness and ease of use.
The AI pothole hunter
Q: What makes Ivy different as an AI tutor for low-income regions?
Ivy runs fully offline on low-cost phones, uses compressed models to work without strong internet, and offers proactive tutoring in Amharic and English.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Tech Life

What is Tech Life about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Tech Life delivers concise, topical tech news and thoughtful discussions on how innovations shape work, education, health, and daily life. Episodes frequently cover AI advances, autonomous vehicles, wearables, smart home tech, and the societal impacts of fast-paced digital change. The show stands out for interviewing a mix of researchers, industry leaders, policy minds, and tech evangelists, often tying practical consumer tech with broader implications. Listeners are likely tech professionals and enthusiasts who want approachable, real-world context on cutting-edge developments and what they mean for businesses and society.

Where can I find podcast stats for Tech Life?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Tech Life. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Tech Life and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Tech Life get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Tech Life, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Tech Life?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Tech Life, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Tech Life have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Tech Life has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Tech Life?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Tech Life:

1. BBC Inside Science
2. CrowdScience
3. Unexpected Elements
4. More or Less
5. Discovery

How many episodes of Tech Life are there?

Tech Life launched 12 years ago and published 358 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Tech Life?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Tech Life?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Tech Life from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Tech Life?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Tech Life. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Tech Life?

Recent guests on Tech Life include:

1. Ben Gomes
2. Adelaide de Vecchi
3. Mark Palmer
4. Fergal Mackey
5. Jim Ashworth-Bolmont
6. Cynthia Kaiser
7. Simon Baud
8. Jonathan Selby

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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