Tech Life
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World Service,·28 Jul 2026,·26 mins
Available for over a year
AI agents carry out tasks autonomously on behalf of users. But what are they capable of, and what do we need to know about them? With AI agents in the news, we speak to an expert. Also this week: can AI make the process of recruiting employees better? And we find out about the campaign to teach AI how to represent people with limb loss. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: In the foreground, a hand holds a smartphone. The screen displays an AI Agent, with various task options available. The background is blurry and coloured blue. Credit: Getty Images)
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BBC's Tech Life programme examines three areas of applied technology. The episode covers electronic odour-detection systems enhanced by artificial intelligence, which analyse scent compounds to identify diseases. It includes reporting from Paris on technology used to study sleep patterns, and discussion of bird identification applications that have gained user adoption, particularly among younger audiences.
Read the full story at BBC ↗
Use BBC.com or the new BBC App to listen to BBC podcasts, Radio 4 and the World Service outside the UK.
Find out how to listen to other BBC stations
World Service,·28 Jul 2026,·26 mins
Available for over a year
AI agents carry out tasks autonomously on behalf of users. But what are they capable of, and what do we need to know about them? With AI agents in the news, we speak to an expert. Also this week: can AI make the process of recruiting employees better? And we find out about the campaign to teach AI how to represent people with limb loss. Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Tom Quinn (Image: In the foreground, a hand holds a smartphone. The screen displays an AI Agent, with various task options available. The background is blurry and coloured blue. Credit: Getty Images)
Read the full story at BBC ↗
Electronic 'noses' using AI are being developed to detect complex odours, including diseases The episode includes a segment on sleep-tracking technology filmed in Paris Bird identification apps are proving popular, especially with younger users The episode runs 26 minutes and is available through BBC.com and the BBC App for international listeners The episode is part of BBC World Service's Tech Life programme
Read the full story at BBC ↗
- BBC's Tech Life podcast explores how AI-powered electronic 'noses' detect diseases by analysing odour compounds
- The episode features a Paris segment on sleep-tracking technology and a segment on bird identification apps gaining popularity with younger users
- The 26-minute World Service episode is available through BBC.com and the BBC App for listeners outside the UK