The workers in the engine room of big tech

The workers in the engine room of big tech

Author: BBC World Service April 28, 2026 Duration: 26:29

We look at revelations about outsourced tech workers in Kenya, and try to find out why more than a thousand of them have been made redundant.

Also this week: are you getting the best out of artificial intelligence? Could changing "how" you communicate with AI make a difference? We speak to an author and put his recommendations to an AI test. And we hear from a company turning lamp-posts into data centres.

Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn

(Image: The words "Meta AI" are displayed on a smartphone screen. The phone is resting on a laptop keyboard. Credit: Reuters)


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: 50

Tech Life
Podcast Episodes
Growing up in the age of AI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:29
AI is developing rapidly. What should parents and children make of it all? And how can young people navigate school and future careers when AI is becoming increasingly important? We speak to an expert who has written a n…
The copyright extortionists [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:29
Lots of people make a living from social media posts. But some have been targeted by an international extortion scheme. It involves a flood of false copyright infringement claims. It only stops if the extorter is paid. I…
What if AI doesn’t speak your language? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:29
English is the most widely-used language online. Internet material helps to train AI tools. So where does that leave people whose native language barely features on the web? We find out about a project helping AI to work…
Unlocking tech breakthroughs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:29
ARIA is the UK's research and development funding agency that's built to unlock new scientific and technological developments. We speak to ARIA's new boss about their work.Also this week: the tech that's helping disabled…
Can AI tackle aviation’s climate problem? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:28
Cloudy lines in the sky, caused by aircraft engines, are called contrails. They're harmful to the environment. Now a project is underway, using AI, to reduce the amount generated. It's called Operation Blue Skies, and we…
School deepfake ransoms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:38
For many schools, it’s normal to post pictures of their own pupils online, either celebrating events or for marketing. But these photos could also be taken by criminals and used to make distressing deepfake AI images. We…
The future of flying? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:29
The transition from petrol to electric cars is well underway. But why are most aircraft in the skies still burning jet fuel? We look at new developments in electric aviation. Also this week: keeping children safe online…
Understanding AI Agents [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:29
AI agents carry out tasks autonomously on behalf of users. But what are they capable of, and what do we need to know about them? With AI agents in the news, we speak to an expert.Also this week: can AI make the process o…
Smell the future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:29
The nose of a dog is incredibly sensitive. And odour contains information. With the help of AI, electronic 'noses' are being used to sniff out complex odours, including diseases. Chris Vallance visits a company developin…
Meet the humanoid robots performing surgery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:28
Humanoid robots have successfully performed surgery in an operating theatre for the first time. They were remotely controlled by surgeons. An expert involved talks to Tech Life.Also this week: the man who invented the in…