Tech Life

Alex de Vries-Gou, researcher and founder of Digi-Economist who analyzes digital environmental impacts, and Yasmin Morgan-Griffiths, investigative tech reporter, dig into attribution science used to link extreme weather to human causes. They also examine AI data center energy use and the growing problem of e-waste. Short, clear takes on how science, law and tech collide.

Tim Peake, former British astronaut who spent 186 days on the ISS and ran a marathon in space, lends firsthand perspective to Artemis II coverage. The conversation previews NASA’s plan to loop astronauts around the Moon. It highlights the thousands supporting the mission and frames Artemis II as the start of a new era in human spaceflight.

Amber Voddigel, founder of the 28x menstrual health platform, on building a free, privacy-first period tracker. Joe Tidy, BBC cyber correspondent, on tracing a survivor and a rare good-news story from the dark web. Dr. William Waugh, public health expert, on AI in healthcare: diagnostics, wearables, prevention, equity and practical early investments.

Dr Becky Kennedy, clinical psychologist and parenting platform founder, offers brief expert takeaways on how screens shape young brains. Jenny (Ginny) McCormick, Tonies’ Chief Experience Officer, explains design choices behind child-focused audio toys. Rob Jones shares a personal story about using AI voice-cloning to recreate his late father’s voice and support his mother with dementia. They discuss screen habits, brain chemistry, tech design, and voice AI.

Chris Vallance, a BBC reporter who investigates hidden labour behind tech platforms, explores people who pretend to be OnlyFans creators and the agencies that employ them. He speaks with a Filipino chatter about the emotional strain and low pay. The show also covers scientists using AI to speed research and concerns over edited White House war footage using video game clips.

Alastair Reynolds, sci‑fi author and former ESA scientist, reflects on how speculative stories shape space travel visions. Dr Natasha Orton, philosopher-physicist and author of the National Quantum Centre’s ethics plan, discusses why we must plan for quantum risks now. They talk quantum ethics, cryptography threats, access divides, and how sci‑fi influences real-world space ambitions.

AI tech is giving people their lost voices back. We chat to Yvonne Johnson, who has motor neuron disease. She's lost much of her ability to speak. But artificial intelligence is helping Yvonne to be heard again, with her own voice.Also this week: we discuss AI and the price of memory chips with a big computer manufacturer. And video gaming is booming in Africa.Presenter: Shiona McCallum Producer: Tom Quinn(Image: A photo of Yvonne Johnson. She is smiling directly at the camera. Credit: Portrait Of A Voice.)

Shona McCallum, a health-tech reporter, covers a UK trial of an at-home vagus-nerve stimulator helping stroke survivors regain arm and hand movement. Liv McMahon, a tech reporter, explores how people form emotional bonds with chatbots and reactions to AI model changes. Brian Catanzaro, NVIDIA VP of applied deep learning, discusses audio-to-audio conversational AI, natural interruptions, and real-world applications in education and industry.

Alasdair Keane, technology journalist and wearable-devotee who road tests smart glasses. He demos hands-free AI messaging, compares audio-only versus display models, explores gesture and neuroband control, weighs comfort and design, and discusses privacy indicators, real-time translation and accessibility use cases.

Shona McCallum, a frontline reporter who rode in and reviewed robo‑taxis, describes a Zoox vehicle and its strange design. She recounts in‑ride impressions of sensors, mapping and safety. The conversation covers where robotaxis already run, regulatory and liability puzzles, rollout timelines, and how cities and behavior might change as autonomous fleets expand.