AI Voice Cloning; Clearer Speech, Growing Risks
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, but also for scams and audio deepfakes that are increasingly hard to detect.

Space Tech Meets the Sea; AI Tools for Sustainable Fishing
A new generation of startups is using satellite Earth observation and AI to support fishing communities facing climate change, regulation, and economic pressure. By combining real-time ocean data with insights from fishers themselves, companies like Orbiventure are helping to track catches, protect marine ecosystems, and improve long-term coastal resilience, showing how space technology can deliver practical solutions on the ground.

The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
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➡️ Email: [email protected]   

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If you like our show please rate and review us.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
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Driverless Cars Take the Wheel
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, as comparing autonomous systems to human drivers isn’t straightforward. The big issue now isn’t just capability it’s public trust. We were at the launch of the Institute for Driverless Transport to find out more.

The Invisible Network Behind It All
Behind the rise of autonomous vehicles is a reality most people overlook: the internet doesn’t run on satellites, but on fibre optic cables carrying light across the globe. This physical infrastructure powers the real-time data needed for navigation, communication, and control. And it’s not being replaced, it’s evolving, with innovations like hollow-core fibre pushing speeds even further. As driverless tech scales, it’s this hidden network that will define performance. The future of mobility depends as much on glass as it does on code.

The podcast is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) 
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If you like our show please rate and review us.

Driverless Cars Take the Wheel
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, as comparing autonomous systems to human drivers isn’t straightforward. The big issue now isn’t just capability it’s public trust. We were at the launch of the Institute for Driverless Transport to find out more.

The Invisible Network Behind It All
Behind the rise of autonomous vehicles is a reality most people overlook: the internet doesn’t run on satellites, but on fibre optic cables carrying light across the globe. This physical infrastructure powers the real-time data needed for navigation, communication, and control. And it’s not being replaced, it’s evolving, with innovations like hollow-core fibre pushing speeds even further. As driverless tech scales, it’s this hidden network that will define performance. The future of mobility depends as much on glass as it does on code.

The podcast is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
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If you like our show please rate and review us.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) 
➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co)
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If you like our show please rate and review us.

From streaming royalties to AI tools: how musicians are navigating a rapidly changing industry
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 example to overcome writer’s block or experiment with new ideas, while still believing that human emotion and authenticity remain central to music. 

Using artificial intelligence to break communication barriers for deaf communities
AI is also being used to tackle accessibility challenges. At Web Summit Qatar, the Polish company Migam showcased technology designed to translate spoken language into sign language in real time. The aim is to make digital platforms - from streaming services to video calls - more accessible for millions of deaf users around the world, demonstrating how AI could expand communication as well as creativity.

The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) 
➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co)
➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)    

If you like our show please rate and review us.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) 
➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co)
➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)    

If you like our show please rate and review us.

From streaming royalties to AI tools: how musicians are navigating a rapidly changing industry
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 example to overcome writer’s block or experiment with new ideas, while still believing that human emotion and authenticity remain central to music. 

Using artificial intelligence to break communication barriers for deaf communities
AI is also being used to tackle accessibility challenges. At Web Summit Qatar, the Polish company Migam showcased technology designed to translate spoken language into sign language in real time. The aim is to make digital platforms - from streaming services to video calls - more accessible for millions of deaf users around the world, demonstrating how AI could expand communication as well as creativity.

The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) 
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If you like our show please rate and review us.

How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Work of NGOs
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 Global Food Supply
Food waste remains a major global challenge, often caused by poor coordination across the supply chain. We speak with the founder of WadyAI, a platform using artificial intelligence to help suppliers and restaurants digitise orders, analyse demand, and order food more accurately - with the goal of reducing waste and improving efficiency in the food system.

The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) 
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➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)    

If you like our show please rate and review us.

How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Work of NGOs
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 Global Food Supply
Food waste remains a major global challenge, often caused by poor coordination across the supply chain. We speak with the founder of WadyAI, a platform using artificial intelligence to help suppliers and restaurants digitise orders, analyse demand, and order food more accurately - with the goal of reducing waste and improving efficiency in the food system.

The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en) 
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If you like our show please rate and review us.

313 blackouts. 52 countries. One global crisis
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 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 digital authoritarianism, the new tactics governments are using, and the growing resistance movement fighting to keep the world connected.


The UK Government Wants to Restrict VPNs for Teens – But Uses Them Itself
The UK is considering restricting teenagers from using VPNs to bypass online age checks under its "Growing Up in the Online World" consultation. But a new investigation from TechRadar and VPN Managing Editor Sam Woodhams has found that multiple UK government departments and public bodies regularly purchase and use the very same technology – typically enterprise VPNs for cybersecurity. Critics say the paradox raises a simple question: if VPNs are essential for protecting official data, why shouldn't ordinary citizens have the same right to privacy and security?


The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
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If you like our show please rate and review us.

313 blackouts. 52 countries. One global crisis.
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 what can people actually do to fight back?

The VPN paradox; why the UK wants to restrict teens from using a tool its own government relies on every single day.
The UK government wants to restrict VPNs for teens, but it uses them itself. That's the paradox at the heart of a new investigation from TechRadar. The UK is consulting on "Growing Up in the Online World" – which could see consumer VPN apps face age-verification rules, making it harder for teenagers to bypass online checks. But here's the twist: multiple UK government departments and public bodies regularly purchase and use VPN services.  Sam Woodhams, VPN Managing Editor at TechRadar has been investigating.

The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
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If you like our show please rate and review us.

🧸 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 Quiet Tech Powerhouse Awakens From the invention of the jet engine to DNA fingerprinting and MRI scanning, the East Midlands has long been a hub of world-changing innovation. Now, with the first ever East Midlands Tech Week, the region is stepping back into the spotlight —bringing together leaders in AI, energy, space, and beyond.

♻️ AI Recycling Bins: Can Tech Fix Our Waste Problem? What if you never had to second-guess recycling again? One startup is building AI-powered bins that automatically identify and sort waste in real time. Designed for busy public spaces, the technology could dramatically improve recycling rates and cut costs, but can it scale globally?

The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support.

Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz  

Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.

🎥 Learn more about what we do: 
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/ 
📩 Contact us or book a project: [email protected] 
➡️ Email: [email protected]   

📱 Follow us on socials:
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If you like our show please rate and review us.