Tech Life
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World Service,·01 Sep 2026,·26 mins
Available for over a year
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 Producer: Tom Quinn (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)
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A podcast episode explores three technology-related stories: a community initiative in Greystones, Ireland that encourages delaying smartphone access until secondary school, interviews with the school principal leading the effort and a local parent; a woman's account of developing a wearable safety device following a personal attack; and an experiment in Sweden where AI was given operational control of a café.
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,·01 Sep 2026,·26 mins
Available for over a year
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 Producer: Tom Quinn (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)
Read the full story at BBC ↗
Greystones, Ireland has a voluntary community agreement to delay smartphone access until secondary school age The initiative is called 'It Takes A Village' The school principal leads the initiative A woman developed a wearable safety device after surviving a late-night attack AI was used to run a café in Sweden The podcast episode features presenter Shiona McCallum
Read the full story at BBC ↗
- An Irish community in Greystones has implemented a voluntary agreement to delay smartphone access until secondary school age
- A woman developed a wearable safety device after surviving a late-night attack
- An AI system was tested running a café in Sweden