Wisdomia: Chat with Da Vinci & Ada Lovelace in 3D

Imagine learning calculus from Ada Lovelace or art theory from Leonardo da Vinci—digitally resurrected in 3D AI avatars. That’s the vision behind Wisdomia, the first Web3.0 edutainment marketplace blending gamified learning with immersive history. Founder Dinis Guarda joins us to explain how users interact with AI versions of geniuses, explore 3D-rendered wonders like the Temple of Artemis, and earn rewards while learning. “This isn’t Wikipedia in 3D,”  he says—"it’s a tipping point for education."

 

H&M’s Digital Model Twins: Innovation or Job Threat?

Fashion meets the metaverse as H&M scans real models to create AI “digital twins” for campaigns. While the brand calls it a "creative enhancement”, critics warn of lost jobs for photographers, makeup artists, and models themselves. “Is this sustainability or just cost-cutting?”, we ask digital twin expert Ghislaine Boddington.

 

Premier League’s VAR goes Semi-Automated- Fans Fume

Football’s robot referees are causing chaos! The new semi-automated offside system uses 10,000 data points per player to make calls—but when it falters humans have to step in.

 

The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ghislaine Boddington.

 

More on this week's stories:

Wisdomia

Dinis Guarda

Businessabc AI Global Summit

H&M; Digital Twin Models

Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SOAT)

 

Production Manager: Liz Tuohy

Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz



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Brazil’s UNESP transforms its IT infrastructure to compete globally

Imagine a university shackled by slow, outdated tech - now picture it rivalling global giants in connectivity and innovation. That’s exactly what happened when São Paulo State University (UNESP) teamed up with Brazilian IT powerhouse RoostEdge to completely overhaul its IT infrastructure across 34 campuses in just 18 months; swapping clunky legacy systems for a lightning-fast, future-proof network that’s now the envy of universities worldwide. The secret? A powerhouse partnership between UNESP’s Director of Technology, Professor Ney Lemke and RoostEdge’s visionary CEO Eliezer Silveira Filho, proving that when academia and industry join forces, even the most ambitious digital transformations become reality. But here’s the kicker - this isn’t just a win for UNESP; it’s a roadmap for any institution ready to ditch sluggish systems, attract top talent, and supercharge research with cutting-edge tech.



The programme is presented by Angelica Mari and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz.

 

More on this week's stories:

UNESP

RoostEdge



Production Manager: Liz Tuohy

Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz



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Scaling Solar Access Across Brazil

magine accessing affordable solar power with just a few clicks - no rooftop panels, no upfront costs, just clean energy delivered through smart, decentralized infrastructure. That’s the vision transforming communities across Brazil, where millions are still priced out of the energy transition. Leading this project is Pedro Somma, CEO of Luz Energia. He explains how the company is building a digital-first platform to democratize solar energy, offering energy-as-a-service and unlocking real impact in underserved regions. It’s not just innovation - it’s climate equity at scale.



Can tech remove CO2 permanently from the atmosphere?

Julia Sekula, CFO of Terradot describes how they are scaling carbon dioxide removal (CDR) through Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) in Brazil. Backed by a multi-year deal with Microsoft to remove 12,000 tonnes of CO₂, Terradot is pioneering one of the most advanced ERW monitoring efforts to date. With nearly 50,000 tonnes of rock deployed across 2,000 hectares, Terradot is targeting its first carbon credits in 2025.



Sirius Education

Editor Ania is also out and about talking to startups - this week we meet the Founder of Sirius Education, Arnobio Morelix. They are training professionals to be ready for the jobs of the future.



The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Angelica Mari.



More on this week's stories:

Luz Energia

Terradot

Sirius Education



Production Manager: Liz Tuohy

Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz



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The Disturbing Reality of AI-Generated AbuseA new study reveals nearly 35,000 publicly downloadable AI models capable of generating deepfake pornography—often targeting women and celebrities. These "model variants" can be tweaked to create millions of non-consensual intimate images, fuelling a growing crisis in digital exploitation. Researchers identified 35,000 deepfake model variants in public repositories, with each model being used to generate countless AI-generated explicit images of real people. While 35,000 models may seem small compared to the vast internet, each one represents a potential weapon for harassment. Experts warn that without stricter regulation, deepfake abuse could spiral further out of control. The study was led by Will Hawkins from the Oxford Internet Institute. He joins
Gareth and Ghislaine on the show. 

 

MySQL at 30: The Unsung Hero Powering Facebook, the Web
& Your Data - The Database That Quietly Runs the InternetYou’ve probably never heard of it—but your data lives on MySQL. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, this open-source database is the invisible backbone of Facebook, countless websites, and nearly every major online service. It’s an open-source success story, which relies on
simplicity and speed and it’s easy to set up. We spoke with Peter Zaitsev, who joined MySQL in 2002 and later co-founded Percona, a leading database consultancy.  Next time you log into Facebook or book a flight, remember - there’s a 30-year-old database working behind the scenes. Not bad for a tech "underdog."

 

The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ghislaine Boddington.


More on this week's stories:

Dramatic rise in publicly downloadable deep fake image generators

1995-2025: MySQL at 30!

 

Production Manager: Liz Tuohy

Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz



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In this episode of Somewhere on Earth, we dive into groundbreaking tech
innovations with a purpose. Join us as we speak with Eduardo Peixoto, CEO of Brazil’s CESAR Innovation Hub, about cutting-edge projects like a smart lipstick prototype and a real-time sign language translator — game-changing tools designed to empower people with disabilities. We also explore inclusive tech initiatives shaping accessibility in Latin America. Plus, we meet Trela, an ambitious online grocery startup that's transforming healthy eating in Brazil through tech-driven solutions. CEO Guilherme Nazareth shares how Trela is disrupting the online grocery space. Whether you're into disability tech, social impact innovation, or the latest in global tech entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Subscribe now and tune in!

 

The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz.

 

More on this week's stories:

CESAR

Trela

 

Production Manager: Liz Tuohy

Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz



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#ownyourdata with Brittany Kaiser

Whistle blower and data activist Brittany Kaiser, whose story is told in the Netflix documentary “The Great Hack”, joins Gareth and Ania on stage at Web Summit Rio. She talks about her latest initiative that will allow Brazilians to get paid for sharing their data.



RoostEdge – new SOEP sponsor

CEO of RoostEdge Eliezer Silveira Filho is on stage to tell us about how RoostEdge is connecting technologies and people, generating innovative, intelligent and high-impact solutions using Edge Computing and IoT, whilst also working with tech for good initiatives. We’re delighted to announce that we are partnering with Roost and you will be hearing more from Roost’s clients over the coming months.



The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz.



More on this week's stories:

Brittany Kaiser #ownyourdata

RoostEdge

Web Summit Rio



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From Algorithm to Action: How AI & Automation are Redefining Business

In this episode, we dive into the booming technology scene in Brazil — now the 5th largest digital economy in the world. With over 260 million active mobile phones (more than there are people in Brazil!) and major investments in digital transformation, Brazil is rapidly becoming a global tech powerhouse. We’re joined by Alexandre Conceição, Strategic Business Executive Director, and Yan Sym, Data Science Manager, both from Qintess, a leading global digital consulting company rooted in Brazil’s innovation ecosystem. Tune in as we explore cutting-edge trends in AI and the future of digital banking.

The programme is presented by Angelica Mari and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz.

 

More on this week's stories:

Qintess

LinkedIn 

InstagramAlexandre Conceição

Yan Sym



Production Manager: Liz Tuohy

Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz



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Love, Lies & Digital Crime: The Global Web of Romance Scams
In this episode, we uncover the dark side of the internet where romance scams flourish across major technology platforms—and the heartbreaking consequences they leave in their wake. Victims are deceived by online personas, only to find themselves emotionally betrayed and financially devastated. But the story doesn’t stop there. Freelance journalist Emily Fishbein takes us deep into the criminal underworld operating in post-coup Myanmar, where trafficked individuals are forced into running these scams under threat and coercion. Emily, now a fellow with the Pulitzer Center’s Rainforest Investigations Network, shares findings from her pre-fellowship work featured in Al Jazeera and MIT Technology Review. This episode explores the intersection of technology, organized crime, and human vulnerability, shedding light on how digital platforms have become unwitting hosts to industrial-scale scams.

The Surprising Roots of Social Media in Ham Radio
Long before Facebook and MySpace, there was another kind of social media - the world of amateur radio. Celebrating 100 years since the founding of the International Amateur Radio Union in 1925, we reveal how ham radio operators have been connecting, communicating, and innovating across the globe for a century - from disaster relief to space communication. A hobby rooted in analogue technology has evolved into a vibrant, digital, and community-driven space. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a podcast lover, or curious about the future of social connection, tune in to hear from broadcaster and radio amateur Jim Lee (G4AEH) as we decode the past, present, and future of this unique tech tradition.

The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz.

More on this week's stories:
Inside a romance scam compound—and how people get tricked into being there
Amateur radio services at the forefront

Production Manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz

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Lifestyle and mental health - Nigerian startups empowering choice through tech

Buying electronic toys that speak your language or even a doll that looks like the proud owner is easy – that is if you’re white and speak English. It’s much harder to buy other ‘lifestyle’ products, for example, a child’s plate with Arabic writing on it, or a doll wearing a hiyab. Oyindamola Kazeem, realized this when she herself had children so she set up Hadiyang – the "one stop digital hub for Islamic products" in Nigeria. She was at Web Summit Qatar to expand her business to the MENA region.

Another Nigerian tech startup – “Howbodi” was also on a similar mission. Howbodi means “How are you?” in pidgin English and is also the name of an app and website that is using the latest AI tech, combined with human back up in the form of therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists to destigmatise mental healthcare in Nigeria. Dr. Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri and Zainab Kadiri are now looking for investors to finance standalone internet connected mobile mental health care booths, so people in rural areas can also have access to free mental health care.



This special edition was recorded at Web Summit Qatar in the exhibition hall. The audio quality is therefore different to our usual studio produced shows.



The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.



More on this week's stories:

Hadiyang

Oyindamola Kazeem

Howbodi

Dr. May

Zainab Kadiri



Production Manager: Liz Tuohy

Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz



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Kenya has a blood deficit and it’s especially urgent in places like the northwestern region of Turkana, where malaria, anaemia and violence are rife, driving up the demand for blood transfusions. The Ministry of Health is now planning to roll out technology to modernise blood transfusion services, extending the shelf life of blood and being able to automate the entire process.

The most detailed computer model of the brain ever built
The most detailed computer simulation of the human brain to date has been created. The model illustrates how the brain uses and stores energy. So far they’ve found that diet, exercise, and supplements may help mitigate the effects of aging on our brains. While the connection between physical health and brain health is not a novel concept, the depth of analysis regarding brain cell interactions, blood circulation, and blood chemistry provided by this model is unparalleled. This research has been published in Frontiers in Science, the leading open-access journal from Frontiers. The principal investigator, Dr. Polina Shichkova, tells Gareth more about the project.

GPS jamming on the up…again!
If you are a regular subscriber you might recall our show from last October discussing GPS jamming and spoofing. Recently, countries have been reporting an increase in the number of attempted disruptions to the radio signals used – these can impact aircraft operations, shipping, logistics, power grids, and any other sectors that depend on location or timing signals from satellites. Now the International Telecommunication Union has issued a joint statement urging countries to improve the security of these systems.

The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz.

More on this week's stories:
Kenya’s Blood Automation Plan
Modelling metabolism in the aging brain
Can we keep the brain energized as it ages?
To hear more from the authors, register for the complimentary virtual seminar: 
https://events.frontiersin.org/aging-brain/fsci
Protect satellite navigation from interference, UN agencies urge

Production Manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz

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