Screen time ‘rewiring our brains’

Screen time ‘rewiring our brains’

Author: BBC World Service March 17, 2026 Duration: 26:30

We dig through the evidence on the effect of screen time on babies and young children, with the help of some parents and experts. And after hearing our story of a woman who got her voice back with the help of AI, a listener got in touch to tell us his own moving story of hearing his father’s voice for the first time in 50 years.

Producers: Imran Rahman-Jones and Vuyelo Ndlovu Presenter: Shiona McCallum

(Image: A baby holds a smartphone, looking at the screen while lying in bed. Credit: Getty Images.)


From the studios of the BBC World Service comes Tech Life, a global conversation about the tools reshaping our everyday existence. This isn't just a show about new gadgets; it's a deep dive into the human stories behind the silicon. Each episode takes you to the front lines of innovation, introducing the thinkers and tinkerers whose bright ideas are redefining how we work, learn, and connect. We go beyond the press release, getting hands-on with emerging products to understand their real-world impact. But Tech Life also tackles the harder questions, scrutinizing the immense power wielded by tech giants and examining who truly benefits-and who gets left behind-in this relentless transformation. The podcast serves as an essential guide to a future that is constantly being written, offering clarity and context on the forces that are actively making and remaking our world. Tune in for thoughtful, international reporting that connects the dots between a line of code and a change in your daily life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Tech Life
Podcast Episodes
Hearing my voice again totally blew my mind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:29
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…
Engaging chatbots [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:28
We chat to NVIDIA about AI chat and how to make it sound more human. Explore making and breaking an emotional connection with AI. And new tech is helping stroke survivors.Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn(Pho…
Would you wear smart glasses? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:28
Is this the year when smart glasses become mainstream? Whether you need spectacles for your vision, or wear sunglasses, tech firms are hoping you'll buy their latest devices. Tech Life's Alasdair Keane has road tested so…
Driverless cars in the fast lane [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:28
Autonomous taxis are already part of everyday life in some cities. What will it be like when self-driving car tech gets up to full speed ? And we find out how scientists are using quantum sensing technology to peer insid…
China's AI progress [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:29
The launch of China's DeepSeek AI tool a year ago sent shockwaves through US markets and Silicon Valley. But now Chinese AI tech is being used by more and more US companies. Our North America Technology Correspondent, Li…
What's new in health tech? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:28
We all want to stay fit and healthy. But how can technology help ? Shiona McCallum discusses new health tech on display at the world's biggest consumer electronics trade show. And if you own cryptocurrency - beware. Thie…
When will a robot do my laundry? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:32
How close are we to humanoid robots in the home? A flurry of new robots, designed to look like us, have been revealed recently, with many in Silicon Valley excited that this is the next big leap in AI. But many humanoid…
What to expect from tech in 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:28
For our first episode of 2026, Tech Life looks forward to the rest of the year, and beyond. What are the latest consumer gadgets on display at a huge electronics trade show in Las Vegas? How will assistive technology, de…
Tech Life's look back at 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:29
A selection of our favourite stories in 2025. From bringing back extinct species to AI at a royal palace. And you tell us about the tech that's made a difference to your life.Presenter: Chris Vallance Producers: Tom Quin…
Launching a commercial space station [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:29
A company called Vast hopes to put Haven-1 into orbit in 2026. If successful, it'll be the world's first commercial space station. We speak to the company's CEO, Max Haot.Also on Tech Life this week: find out about robot…