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
Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones
(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
Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones
(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.
Plus, Tech Life speaks to a comedian whose jokes were taken and retold by an AI avatar – which then went on to get millions of views online. And after we visited the UK’s national supercomputer a few weeks back, we answer some of your questions with the centre’s director.
Presented by Chris Vallance
Produced by Imran Rahman-Jones
(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
Producer: Tom Quinn
(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
Producer: Tom Quinn and Imran Rahman-Jones
(Image: An illustration of satellites orbiting Earth and sending signals to each other for communication. Credit: Getty Images)