Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast
Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast - Tech That Actually Matters If you’re tired of hype, gadgets-for-gadget’s-sake, and the same recycled tech headlines, welcome to Somewhere on Earth (SOEP) - the weekly global tech podcast that digs way deeper. Made by and hosted by the ex-BBC World Service Digital Planet team (yes, the award-winning crew behind 21+ years of world-leading tech journalism and 1.5M annual downloads), SOEP uncovers the untold stories shaping our digital world. This isn’t a show about the latest shiny toy. It’s about technology that changes lives, cultures, and global societies. Each episode explores: ⚡ The real-world impact of emerging tech 🌍 New innovations driving social good 🔍 Under-the-radar digital trends you should be paying attention to 🧠 How tech is reshaping communities, culture, and the way we live 📰 The technology behind the week’s biggest world stories - explained simply Our mission? To build a tech-for-good ecosystem where new ideas, powerful insights, and meaningful innovation can grow. If you want smart, globally minded tech storytelling from journalists who’ve been doing this longer (and better) than almost anyone else - SOEP is your new must-listen podcast. 🌎 Somewhere on Earth: Where tech meets humanity. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support.
Episodes
Brazil's Pix payment system has already transformed how millions of people move money. Now, fintech company Iniciador is exploring what happens when artificial intelligence can initiate payments on behalf of users. We speak with Chief Product Officer Gustavo Bressler about AI-powered transactions, security, regulation and the future of digital commerce.
Can Innovation Create Mor...
Wildlife trafficking doesn't just involve rhino horn and elephant ivory. Marine species such as shark fins, seahorses and sea cucumbers are also smuggled around the world, threatening vulnerable ecosystems. Researchers in Australia have developed an AI system that can identify these species in CT scans of luggage and parcels. We speak to Dr Vanessa Pirotta about how the technology works an...
Soft robotics is one of the fastest-growing fields in technology, drawing inspiration from nature to create machines that are flexible, adaptable and safer for human interaction. In this episode, we explore a breakthrough liquid-metal micro-pump that could help eliminate the bulky compressors traditionally needed to power soft robotic systems. The technology could pave...
From Derby, birthplace of the modern factory, to Leicester’s DNA fingerprinting breakthroughs, Nottingham’s MRI and ibuprofen innovations, and Lutterw...
Refrigeration is responsible for a huge share of global carbon emissions but Colombian startup NanoFreeze believes biotechnology could change that. Founder and CEO Isabel Pulido explains how her company’s bio-nanotechnology is designed to dramatically reduce energy use in cooling systems, improve cold-chain access and lower costs for industries from f...
Glaucoma affects around 80 million people worldwide and remains one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness. But what if managing chronic disease no longer required constant hospital visits, manual medication schedules or invasive monitoring? This week on Somewhere on Earth, we explore a groundbreaking AI-powered smart contact lens capable of continuously mon...
Thousands of delegates were preparing to gather in Zambia for one of the world’s biggest digital rights events until it was abruptly cancelled days before kickoff. Nikki Gladstone, Director of RightsCon at Access Now, explains how months of planning unravelled in a matter of hours and what triggered the decision.
Why Nigeria Could Be Your Launchpad into A...
New research reveals that AI-generated voice clones can be up to 20% more intelligible than real human speech in noisy environments. While this could revolutionise public announcements, accessibility, and communication, it also raises serious concerns. Experts warn that cloned voices can sound more authoritative and trustworthy, making them a powerful tool not just for innovation, ...
Driverless taxis are no longer a future concept, they’re already operating in cities worldwide, and even in Zagreb you can now book a ride with no driver at all. With the UK preparing for a rollout as early as September, the shift is accelerating fast. Backed by new laws and regulatory frameworks, the technology is moving from trials to real-world adoption. But safety remains the key question...
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the music industry, but not always in the ways people expect. Researchers at the Oxford Internet Institute have been speaking with musicians across several countries about life in the streaming era and how AI fits into their creative work. Many artists say they are using AI as a practical tool, for ...
AI is increasingly shaping the work of non-profits and civil society groups. In this episode we speak with experts from Access Now about how NGOs are using AI to strengthen cybersecurity analysis and digital protection, while also navigating serious concerns around privacy, misinformation, and the safe handling of sensitive data.
Using AI to Reduce Waste in the Glob...
Internet shutdowns are no longer just blunt nationwide blackouts. From Uganda to Iran, governments are now using sophisticated tools to cut off Starlink, exempt their own institutions, and silence critics—while ordinary citizens are left completely offline. In Iran, a blackout has now lasted 30 days, on track to become the longest complete internet shutdown ever recorded. So ...
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