Tech Life

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)

English is the most widely-used language online. Internet material helps to train AI tools. So where does that leave people whose native language barely features on the web? We find out about a project helping AI to work in more of the world’s languages.

Also this week: regulating tech might sound about as appealing as a trip to the dentist. But, like your check-up, it is important. With Europe and the United States taking different approaches, we’ll ask who gets to set the rules, and what that means for the rest of us. And there’s a growing range of technology aimed at older people. We’ll look at some of the products out there, and ask how useful they really are.

Presenter: Shiona McCallum

(Photo: A young woman holds a smartphone to her mouth while sitting at a table. She is using a smartphone AI voice assistant. Credit: Getty Images)

ARIA is the UK's research and development funding agency that's built to unlock new scientific and technological developments. We speak to ARIA's new boss about their work.

Also this week: the tech that's helping disabled racing drivers to achieve their dreams. And the pros and cons of making AI-generated complaints.

Presenter: Chris Vallance

(Image: An illustration of a light bulb, representing creative thoughts and ideas. Two human hands attempt to grasp the image. Credit: Getty Images)

Cloudy lines in the sky, caused by aircraft engines, are called contrails. They're harmful to the environment. Now a project is underway, using AI, to reduce the amount generated. It's called Operation Blue Skies, and we speak to Google about their involvement.

Also this week: we look at three very different approaches taken by manufacturers to help children and adults have a healthy relationship with mobile phones. And AI detectors - how do they work?

Presenter: Shiona McCallum

(Photo: A large four engine passenger jet flies at high altitude. The sky is blue, and the jet engines are emitting white cloudy trails, known as contrails. Credit: Getty Images)

For many schools, it’s normal to post pictures of their own pupils online, either celebrating events or for marketing. But these photos could also be taken by criminals and used to make distressing deepfake AI images. We speak to the founder of a company which says it has a solution.

Presenter: Chris Vallance

(Image: A child places a metal pin impression toy over their face, so they cannot be identified. Credit: Getty Images)