Tech Life

As Europe sees a wave of cyber-attacks on commercial fridges, we investigate how everyday devices are vulnerable. A listener tells us about his experiences as a moderator for a pornography service. Plus, how the US Midterm elections affect tech around the world. And tech time troubles with another listener.

Presenter: Chris Vallance

(Image: A graphic illustration of a hand holding a phone. Around it are pictures of connected devices, such as a smart bulb and a camera. Credit: Getty Images)

Independent journalists around the world are falling victim to fake copyright strikes against their content on social media, especially when their stories are critical of powerful figures. Then we look at how AI has been brought into safety on US railroads. Plus, the tech which helps a live orchestra keep in time with screenings of Lord of the Rings.

Presenter: Shiona McCallum

(Image: Silhouette of a man on a phone in front of a large window. Credit: Getty Images.)

A week ago, few outside of the tech world had heard of PHP. Now, after vulnerabilities were discovered, it’s an acronym many more of us are familiar with. With the help of insiders, we tell the story of the PHP crisis.

Presented by Chris Vallance

(Image: Ondřej Surý, wearing glasses and a checked shirt, smiles at the camera on a video call.)

Shiona McCallum visits a semiconductor plant making super-thin and flexible chips. Canada's AI Minister talks to the BBC. And drone tech is monitoring fire-damaged landscapes. You can view Shiona's report on thermal drones here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKSkIDMZcmc

Presenter: Shiona McCallum

(Photo: A technician dressed in protective clothing inspects a wafer containing thousands of microchips. Credit: Getty Images)

Where should data centres be built? We talk to an entrepreneur hoping to build a virtual data centre in space, by using computing power that's already up there - in satellites.

Also this week: A Facebook whistleblower, whose story inspired a new movie, talks to us about social media and AI. And could rotating sails help to reduce container ship exhaust pollution?

Presenter: Chris Vallance

(Image: An illustration of satellites orbiting Earth and sending signals to each other for communication. Credit: Getty Images)

What exactly is a supercomputer for? How does it work? And who gets to use it? Tech Life spends the day at the UK’s national supercomputer to get the answers. We get a rare tour of one of the most powerful computers in the country, and speak to scientists who have access to the computer about how it helps them with their research.

(Photo: The inside of a supercomputer blade, with circuit boards, copper processors and memory sticks inside)

Producer/presenter: Imran Rahman-Jones

Security researchers have got an AI model to break its own rules and give advice on terrorist attacks and assassinations. They talk to Tech Life about their findings. Plus, indie game developer Jonathan Blow on why he spent 10 years inventing his own coding language and game engine for his newest release. And Shiona McCallum takes us through the latest in birth tech.

How far has China come in developing AI technology? And what challenges does it face? An expert helps us understand the thinking in Beijing.

Also this week: what can fifty thousand autonomous machines tell us about the future of robotics? And cutting edge tech helps cricket reach new audiences.

Presenter: Chris Vallance

(Image: An illustration of the Chinese flag over electronic circuitry. Credit: Getty Images)

AI is developing rapidly. What should parents and children make of it all? And how can young people navigate school and future careers when AI is becoming increasingly important? We speak to an expert who has written a new book about these issues.

Also this week: we find out how one piece of health tech is helping scientists uncover disease-fighting data in menstrual blood. And satellite imaging is used by conservationists in Indonesia to protect the habitat of a rare species of orangutan.

Presenter: Shiona McCallum

(Photo: A female school pupil sits at a laptop in a computer lab. She is wearing headphones. Credit: Getty Images)

Lots of people make a living from social media posts. But some have been targeted by an international extortion scheme. It involves a flood of false copyright infringement claims. It only stops if the extorter is paid. Imran Rahman-Jones has the story.

Also this week: could AI help to spot wrong-way driving on Ireland's major roads? And we bring you the latest titles and tech on show at Gamescom in Germany.

Presenter: Chris Vallance

(Image: Silhouettes of mobile phone users are seen next to a screen projection of Instagram's logo. Credit: Reuters)