x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast

Ania Lichtarowicz

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast - Tech That Actually MattersIf 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

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

21:03

AI Beyond Business: Digital Rights, NGOs, and the...

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast ·

2026/04/07

How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Work of NGOsAI 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 Global Food SupplyFood waste remains a major global challenge, often caused by poor

en

25:23

The Dark Side of the Kill Switch: Inside 2025's...

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast ·

2026/03/31

313 blackouts. 52 countries. One global crisisInternet 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 31 days, on track to become the longest complete internet shutdown ever recorded. We speak to Access Now's Felicia Anthonio and Zach Rosson about the rise of

en

23:06

🤖 AI Is Raising Your Kids, Rebuilding Regions and...

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast ·

2026/03/24

🧸 AI Toys for Toddlers: Helpful Tool or Hidden Risk? As AI-powered toys enter the lives of children as young as three, researchers from Cambridge University are asking serious questions. These conversational “GenAI toys” can potentially support language development and engagement - but could they also create emotional attachment to machines, raise privacy concerns, and widen inequality gaps? We unpack what the research says and what parents need to know now.🚀 East Midlands Tech Week: The UK’s

en

22:24

AI, Surveillance & Migration: Inside Europe’s...

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast ·

2026/03/17

Tech, AI and Europe’s migration debateDigital tools are now central to how migration is managed across Europe. From biometrics to automated decision-making, technology is shaping who can enter, stay, or be removed. A report by Access Now warns these systems risk reinforcing bias and reducing transparency - while officials argue they are essential for efficiency, security, and coordination. Why renting could replace owningA growing shift - especially among younger generations - is moving away from

en

23:04

Great Tech Idea. Now What? Inside a Deep-Tech Pitch...

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast ·

2026/03/10

From breakthrough tech to startup realityGreat ideas are only the beginning.This episode explores what happens next - how deeptech founders try to turn scientific breakthroughs into real companies.We attended a pitch night at London Business School where startups were presenting their ideas to investors. Among them were Nanoloom, developing sustainable graphene-based fibres for textiles, and Auralytica, building chemical sensors that can detect food spoilage.But raising money isn’t easy. Research

en

20:01

AI’s Hidden E-Waste Crisis and the Rise of...

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast ·

2026/03/03

The AI Boom Is Fuelling a New Wave of E-WasteArtificial intelligence may feel invisible, but the hardware powering it is very real - and short-lived. As companies race to deploy powerful AI servers, turnover of specialised chips and equipment is accelerating. Yet major tech firms rarely disclose AI-specific hardware figures, making it difficult to track where outdated machines end up. With less than a quarter of global e-waste recycled, the expansion of AI infrastructure could quietly add to a

en

20:03

🚀 AI Deepfakes From Space & The African Language Tech...

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast ·

2026/02/24

🌍 When Satellite Images Lie: The Rise of Space DeepfakesDeepfakes are no longer just fake celebrity videos - they’re moving into orbit. AI can now generate or manipulate satellite images, potentially fabricating disasters, military sites, or climate events. In a world that relies on satellite data for journalism, science, and security, that’s a serious threat. Shoaib Burq, AI Researcher Project Lead at Verisat AI explains how they can detect hidden “fingerprints” left by generative models. Backed

en

22:29

🚀 AI Is Rewriting Marketing - And Nigerian Women Are...

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast ·

2026/02/17

🎙️ Agentic AI, Audio Ads the Future of CreativityAt Web Summit Qatar in Doha, the marketing world asked a bold question: when AI starts planning, creating, and deciding - what’s left for humans? Wilfrid Obeng, Co-Founder of AudioMob talks about how AI is transforming advertising in real time. From hyper-personalised audio ads generated on the fly to emotion-powered voice cloning inspired by tools like ElevenLabs, Wilfred explains how brands are reaching audiences faster, cheaper, and more

en

25:19

From Regional Power to Global Impact: AI Business...

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast ·

2026/02/10

🌍 Scaling Local Innovation Into Global InfluenceRecorded at Web Summit Qatar in Doha, we explore how organisations build global relevance without losing their local roots. As markets become more interconnected, AI and strategic leadership are essential to scaling beyond borders. Yasmin Kayali, Chief Marketing Officer and Societal Impact Leader at Deloitte Middle East, and Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, unpack how global brands localise strategy, why Serbia

en

23:31

Banking the Unbanked & Electrifying Ethiopia: How...

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast ·

2026/02/03

How Mobile Money and Open Tech Are Bringing 1.3 Billion People Into the Financial SystemTechnology isn’t just evolving - it’s rewriting the rules of entire economies. In this episode of Somewhere on Earth, we explore how mobile technology, open-source payments, and digital finance are helping to “bank the unbanked.” With around 1.3 billion adults still without access to a bank account, we look at how mobile money and open systems are leapfrogging traditional infrastructure and giving millions their

en

21:57

Why the US Is Withdrawing From Internet Freedom...

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast ·

2026/01/27

Trump and our Internet Freedoms – it’s not looking goodThe United States has pulled out of key international internet freedom organizations, calling them wasteful and ineffective — but digital rights experts say Americans should be concerned. In this episode, we break down why the US made the decision, what it means for online privacy and free expression, and how the shift could impact everyday internet users around the world. From surveillance to censorship, we explore what’s really at stake for

en

24:06

AI’s Hidden Environmental Cost and the Rise of the...

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast ·

2026/01/20

🌍 AI’s Carbon and Water FootprintArtificial intelligence feels invisible, but its infrastructure is massive. From data centres and specialist servers to cooling systems and power grids, AI is driving a surge in energy and water use around the world. Now research suggests global AI systems may already produce carbon emissions comparable to a city like New York, while the water required to run and cool them could exceed total global bottled water consumption. In this segment, we explore why big tech

en

21:48

The Communications Blackout in Iran: Network Data...

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast ·

2026/01/13

The latest on Iran: nationwide communications blackout deepensIranian authorities imposed an unprecedented communications blackout as protests spread nationwide. The internet monitoring group NetBlocks shows that connectivity remains at around one percent of normal levels, with mobile data, phone calls, text messages and fixed-line services all heavily disrupted. Digital rights groups say the scale of the shutdown goes far beyond previous internet blackouts used during unrest. Amir Rashidi, Director

en

21:21

Will AI Sway Your Vote? And How to Make Sure Your...

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast ·

2026/01/06

Could AI Chatbots Influence Elections?Could a chatbot change the way you vote? In this episode, DPhil candidate Kobi Hackenburg from the Oxford Internet Institute explains how AI is already capable of persuading people on political issues. From short, personalised conversations to fact-packed arguments, these systems can shift opinions in minutes - and the effects can last for weeks. We explore the implications for democracy, elections, and what it means when machines can influence minds as

en

36:26

Who Controls the Future of Technology? The Hidden...

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast ·

2025/12/30

🔐AI, Ransomware, and the Collapse of Digital TrustCyber threats in 2025 have escalated fast. AI is now industrializing cybercrime.Deep-fake fraud, targeted phishing, and automated ransomware have driven a 50% surge in attacks. The consequences are no longer digital. Hospitals have shut down. Factories have stopped.Critical infrastructure is being quietly pre-positioned for future disruption.This episode explains why cyber risk is now a safety and leadership issue — not just an IT problem.♻️ E-Waste

en

24:25

Drones vs. Mosquitoes, Swabs vs. TB, and a Cyber App...

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast ·

2025/12/23

How AI Is Targeting Malaria at Its SourceDrones, AI and a radically targeted approach to malaria prevention - this week Ania speaks with Mary Yeboah Ansawa from Ghana’s Sora Technology about locating larvae-filled puddles before mosquitoes grow up to bite. From cutting pesticide use to saving field teams days of work, we dive into how this tech could reshape malaria control across Africa.India’s TB Breakthrough—And a Privacy StormBack in MumbaiChavi Sajdev updates us on new TB diagnostics that swap

en

22:44

🌍 Taking Back Control of the Internet & Turning...

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast ·

2025/12/16

This week on Somewhere on Earth, we explore two groundbreaking ideas: taking back control of your online creativity and transforming fast-fashion waste with the power of fungi.1️⃣ Rebuilding a Human InternetRabble (Evan Henshaw-Plath), Co-creator of Nostr Divine Rabble, Twitter’s first engineer, unveils Divine - a new six-second video platform that rejects algorithms, bans AI-generated slop, and returns ownership of old content to creators. Built on open social protocols, Divine aims to restore a

en

35:25

🌍 How to Make Your Data and Nature Profitable: The...

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast ·

2025/12/10

1️⃣ Clean, Green Ethical AIAt Web Summit Lisbon, Janet Adams of SingularityNET and the Artificial Superintelligence Alliance explains how truly ethical, climate-friendly AI is becoming in reality. With renewable-powered data centres, AI-optimised green batteries and decentralized computing via Kudos, the upcoming Cocoon AI puts users back in control of their data. Janet also unveils ASI Chain, a scalable new blockchain built to bank the unbanked and drive global financial inclusion.2️⃣ Buying Shares

en

20:19

The AI That Runs on Green Energy — And Doesn’t Steal...

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast ·

2025/12/02

Decentralised, green-powered AIWe explore Cocoon, the new privacy-first AI network launched by Telegram’s Pavel Durov, and hear from Brittany Kaiser on why it could change how AI is built and powered.Supporting neurodivergent students anywhereNeuroIdentify is helping teachers in remote regions spot neurodivergent traits and personalise learning. Co-founder and CTO David Cabral explains how it works.Airbnb for petsTravelling soon? AnimalHotels.com connects pet owners with verified sitters and pet

en

26:56

Poland’s Tech Boom: AI Greenhouses, Mobile IDs &...

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast ·

2025/11/26

From Web Summit Lisbon, Somewhere on Earth explores how Poland is becoming Central Europe’s tech hub. Meet the innovators behind AI-powered greenhouses, a nationwide mobile ID app, and a virtual fertility clinic—all transforming everyday life. Poland is rapidly growing as a tech hotspot, with startups raising €180M last year alone. Its skilled workforce, creative mindset, and engineering heritage are driving global expansion.We hear about how AI is being used to optimize greenhouse growth, reducing

en

267 results

Similar Podcasts

TaxTalent.com The Golden Rule Podcast

Adam Golden

TaxTalent.com Podcast

Tony Santiago

Handelsblatt Crime - spannende Streitfälle der deutschen Wirtschaft

Ina Karabasz, Solveig Gode, Sönke Iwersen

Deffner und Zschäpitz – Der Wirtschafts-Talk von WELT

WELT

Black Box - La scatola nera della finanza

Guido Brera e Gian Luca Comandini -...