Internet shutdowns in Mozambique following election

In Mozambique, eleven people have lost their lives as law enforcement intensified its response to protests that erupted after the elections in October. For the second time within a year, authorities have suspended mobile internet services. Felicia Anthonio, the KeepItOn Campaign Manager at the digital rights organisation Access Now, who is based in Ghana, tells us about the impact.

Legal digital ID in Namibia to improve access to services

Namibia is implementing a verifiable digital identification system aimed at enabling a greater number of citizens to access online services and participate in various activities - addressing the disparity between those who are digitally connected and those who are not. Namibia, characterized by its vast territory and scattered population, presents challenges for many individuals who must travel to the capital, Windhoek, to obtain an identification card. The absence of such a card significantly hampers their ability to access essential services, including healthcare, education, and banking. In recent years, the United Nations Development Programme has collaborated with the Namibian government to advance the initiative of digital identification. Journalist Abigail Ruth Opiah, a reporter for the Biometric Update news platform tells us more.

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

More on this week's stories:

Keep it on Mozambique

UNDP transforming lives in Namibia with digital legal ID initiative

Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz

Production Manager: Liz Tuohy

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Why aren’t women embracing AI?

Women are not using AI as much as men and appear to be falling behind in using it in the workplace, according to Susi O’Neill. Susi is the Founder and Executive Director of EVA, a responsible technology and communications consultancy building trust in tech. She noticed in the AI Adoption data that women were using AI at work less than men and has been researching into why this is happening and what can be done to stop women falling behind.

How to make an audiobook – a subscriber’s experience

One of our regular subscribers, Patricia Rykiel, has just published an audio book and she got in touch to tell us about it. Patricia joins SOEP to tell us what she has learnt about the tech behind digital publishing and producing audio to make “Don’t Break my Rice Bowl” transfer from paper to sound.

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

More on this week's stories:

7 gaps hindering women’s AI adoption at work

Don't Break My Rice Bowl

The making of "Don't Break My Rice Bowl

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What happens when GPS is jammed?

Most of us have used GPS – global positioning systems – to navigate to new destinations, but it’s also vital in getting goods delivered to our doors, with the entire aviation and shipping industries reliant upon it. But increasingly the signals are being disrupted – either jammed or spoofed, that’s setting a false location. We hear from Bridget Diakun, Maritime Risk Analyst, Lloyd's List Intelligence and Dr Ramsey Faragher from Cambridge University.

SOEP’s new home with Evergreen

We are delighted to announce that Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast is joining Evergreen Podcasts. Evergreen is one of the largest independent podcast networks in the world. We’ll be sharing their diverse platform with more than 300 other podcasts ranging from true crime, comedy and lifestyle shows. CEO of Evergreen Michael DeAloia will be joining us to tell us more about Evergreen and why SOEP has been invited to join them.

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

More on this week's stories:

Bridget Diakun

Dr Ramsey Faragher

Evergreen Podcasts

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What’s next for agritech? How lawyers are getting food from farm to table

Agriculture is changing, and with it, so is agritech. Incredible new tech solutions are needed as the human population continues to grow and climate change necessitates updates to our traditional farming methods. This week, we have a special podcast from White & Case, an international law firm that is increasingly working with cleantech and greentech clients. These technologies need funding—which usually involves investors, deal-making, contracts, and legal expertise. We’re discussing some of the exciting innovations promising to get food from the farm to your table with Emmie Jones, partner at White & Case, and Professor Benz Kotzen of the University of Greenwich, a researcher in aquaponics.

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

More on this week's stories:

White and Case

Emmie Jones

Professor Benz Kotzen

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Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz

Production Manager: Liz Tuohy

Recording and audio editing : Lansons | Team Farner

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Could making Wikidata 'human' readable lead to better AI?

A new project is underway to allow Large Language Models (LLMs) to read Wikidata. The data is currently structured in a way that’s machine readable, but LLMs read data more like humans than machines, meaning this vast amount of human curated, high quality data isn’t accessible to this type of AI. By allowing access to Wikidata, LLMs could become more reliable. Ania spoke to Lydia Pintscher, the Portfolio Lead Product Manager at Wikidata Deutschland, to learn more about these developments.

Most news websites block AI Chatbots

Two thirds of high quality news websites block AI chatbots from accessing their information, according to a report by the misinformation monitoring organisation NewsGuard. This means that some of the world’s most popular AI chatbots could be collecting data on misinformation from low quality news sources and even conspiracy and hoax sites. The Enterprise Editor at NewsGuard is Jack Brewster and he is on the show to explain their findings.

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

More on this week's stories:

Wikidata and Artificial Intelligence: Simplified Access to Open Data for Open-Source Projects

AI Chatbots Are Blocked by 67% of Top News Sites, Relying Instead on Low-Quality Sources

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Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz

Production Manager: Liz Tuohy

Recording and audio editing : Lansons | Team Farner

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Could AI chatbots counter conspiracy theories?

If people believe in conspiracy theories, how likely are they to think again when presented with facts and evidence? The good news is that people can shift their view when wacky theories are debunked according to a study just published in the journal Science. The researchers created an AI chatbot that engaged with people and presented them with facts to counter their dodgy beliefs. The study team invited people to state why they believed a conspiracy theory, and fed those responses into GPT4. The chatbot was instructed to be a persuasive sceptic. Thomas Costello, Assistant Professor of Psychology at American University in Washington DC is one of the authors and is on the show.

Potential ban of Chinese EV’s in the US

The US is giving notice on Chinese and Russian manufactured ‘smart cars’ – it’s talking seriously about proposing to ban sales or imports of such connected vehicles. That comes from a White House announcement this week. It’s not a trade war, says the US, but a matter of national security. Gareth and Ania discuss the proposed new rules. 

Original source of migrants eating pets fake news story

“In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats, they’re eating the pets of the people that live there…” said Donald Trump in the televised Presidential debate… Where did such an extreme claim come from? Jack Brewster, Enterprise Editor at NewsGuard found the original comment with his colleague. We hear how he did it. 

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

More on this week's stories:

Durably reducing conspiracy beliefs through dialogues with AI

Biden wants to ban Chinese software in 'smart cars' over security concerns

How false claims of pet-eating immigrants caught on 

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Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz

Production Manager: Liz Tuohy

Recording and audio editing : Lansons | Team Farner

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The first ever DNA computer engine and storage device

A revolutionary approach to computing has just been published by a team of US engineers. Instead of using silicon to underpin our tech, the researchers have used DNA - the very molecules present in all living cells that encode the fundamental aspects of our existence. Teams from North Carolina State University and Johns Hopkins University have achieved this ground-breaking advancement, referring to it as a "primordial DNA store and compute engine." This innovative system is reportedly capable of solving basic Sudoku and chess puzzles. The DNA structure they have developed can be used for data storage and also data retrieval, computation, deletion, and rewriting and could be used to store vast amounts of data in just a few cubic centimetres. This could replace current servers in mass data centres that use vast amounts of energy and water.

From North Carolina State University the lead authors of the work, Professor Orlin Velev and Associate Professor Albert Keung are on the show.

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

More on this week's stories:

A primordial DNA store and computer engine

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Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz

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Recording and audio editing : Lansons | Team Farner

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Electric Vehicles going offline as companies go bust

Drivers of electric vehicles are finding their cars are going offline if the parent company is bankrupt. Smartphone apps linked to the cars, which control many features, don't work and when something goes seriously wrong, then there's no garage that can fix the problem. China, the world's biggest market for EV's, has seen government subsidies disappear as well as intense price wars between companies, leading to many startups failing. SOEP speaks to one driver in the UK who is facing similar issues after the California based car manufacture filed for bankruptcy.

AI pen that can read Braille

A pen that uses algorithms, a camera and a 19 channel sensor has been developed to help the visually impaired read Braille. The number of people who can read Braille is declining, yet it is used in many public spaces including lifts and transport hubs. Named the "Braille-tip", the compact soft tactile sensor can be added to a normal pen to help read Braille. Lead author Dr George Jenkinson from Bristol University in the UK is on the show.

The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Peter Guest.  

More on this week's stories:

EV shutdowns in China

A sensory pen which can read Braille could improve literacy amongst the visually impaired

A robot that can detect breast cancer?

Support the show

Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz

Production Manager: Liz Tuohy

Recording and audio editing : Lansons | Team Farner

For new episodes, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or via this link:

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Is Kamala Harris the AI Tsar?

The upcoming debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is scheduled for next week, where the two candidates for the U.S. presidency will engage in a direct confrontation on the ABC news channel in anticipation of the November election. Should the topic of artificial intelligence arise, it may favour Kamala Harris, given her significant involvement in AI policy as Vice President. This perspective is shared by Bhaskar Chakravorti, Dean of Global Business at The Fletcher School, Tufts University, who recently discussed technology, the election, and Kamala Harris with our editor Ania. While the Vice President enjoys substantial support from influential figures in Silicon Valley, it is important to note that prominent tech entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk and Peter Thiel are aligned with Team Trump. 

Video Games were good for mental health through COVID

Engaging in gaming for a few hours each day has been shown to enhance mental well-being, as indicated by a recent study published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour. One significant finding of this research is that merely owning a gaming console can have positive effects. The critical aspect of this study is that it establishes causation rather than mere correlation, which is a significant advancement in this field of research. For instance, if an individual purchases a gaming console and exhibits good mental health, one might question whether their happiness is a pre-existing condition or if the acquisition of the console has contributed to their improved well-being. This study was conducted during the pandemic, and the unique circumstances of that period enabled researchers to uncover valuable insights regarding the connection between gaming and mental health. Professor Andrew Przybylski from the Oxford Internet Institute explains the significance of the work. 

The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Peter Guest.

More on this week's stories:

If Kamala Harris Was the Czar of Anything, It Would Be AI

Professor Andrew Przybylski 

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Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz

Production Manager: Liz Tuohy

Recording and audio editing : Lansons | Team Farner

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Tiny batteries for tiny robots that could deliver drugs inside our bodies

Engineers at MIT have developed a miniature battery that can power cell-sized, autonomous robots for drug delivery within the human body, as well as for other purposes such as detecting leaks in gas pipelines. The batteries measure 0.1 mm in length and 0.002mm in thickness each - that’s about the same thickness as a human hair. The battery captures oxygen from the air and uses it to oxidize zinc, generating a current with a potential of up to 1 volt. This output is sufficient to power small circuits, sensors, or actuators. Professor Michael Strano, who led the team behind the work, is on the show.

Listener comments and questions

Gareth and Ania read out some of your comments, answer some of your questions and accept your criticisms dear subscriber.

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

More on this week's stories:

MIT Engineers design tiny batteries for cell sized robots 

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Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz

Production Manager: Liz Tuohy

Recording and audio editing : Lansons | Team Farner

For new episodes, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or via this link:

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If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts

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