Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast - Tech That Actually Matters
If you’re tired of hype, gadgets-for-gadget’s-sake, and the same recycled tech headlines, welcome to Somewhere on Earth (SOEP) - the weekly global tech podcast that digs way deeper.
Made by and hosted by the ex-BBC World Service Digital Planet team (yes, the award-winning crew behind 21+ years of world-leading tech journalism and 1.5M annual downloads), SOEP uncovers the untold stories shaping our digital world.
This isn’t a show about the latest shiny toy. It’s about technology that changes lives, cultures, and global societies.
Each episode explores:
⚡ The real-world impact of emerging tech
🌍 New innovations driving social good
🔍 Under-the-radar digital trends you should be paying attention to
🧠 How tech is reshaping communities, culture, and the way we live
📰 The technology behind the week’s biggest world stories - explained simply
Our mission?
To build a tech-for-good ecosystem where new ideas, powerful insights, and meaningful innovation can grow.
If you want smart, globally minded tech storytelling from journalists who’ve been doing this longer (and better) than almost anyone else - SOEP is your new must-listen podcast.
🌎 Somewhere on Earth: Where tech meets humanity.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss).
Driverless Taxis Are Here 🚕 No Humans, No Steering Wheel. And the Hidden Fibre Network Powering It All
Driverless Cars Take the Wheel
Driverless taxis are no longer a future concept, they’re already operating in cities worldwide, and even in Zagreb you can now book a ride with no driver at all. With the UK preparing for a rollout as early as September, the shift is accelerating fast. Backed by new laws and regulatory frameworks, the technology is moving from trials to real-world adoption. But safety remains the key question, as comparing autonomous systems to human drivers isn’t straightforward. The big issue now isn’t just capability it’s public trust. We were at the launch of the Institute for Driverless Transport to find out more.
The Invisible Network Behind It All
Behind the rise of autonomous vehicles is a reality most people overlook: the internet doesn’t run on satellites, but on fibre optic cables carrying light across the globe. This physical infrastructure powers the real-time data needed for navigation, communication, and control. And it’s not being replaced, it’s evolving, with innovations like hollow-core fibre pushing speeds even further. As driverless tech scales, it’s this hidden network that will define performance. The future of mobility depends as much on glass as it does on code.
The podcast is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss).
Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz
Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.
🎥 Learn more about what we do:
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/
📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co
➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co
📱 Follow us on socials:
➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en)
➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co)
➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)
If you like our show please rate and review us.
14 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT
AI, Music & Accessibility: How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing Creativity and Communication
From streaming royalties to AI tools: how musicians are navigating a rapidly changing industry
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the music industry, but not always in the ways people expect. Researchers at the Oxford Internet Institute have been speaking with musicians across several countries about life in the streaming era and how AI fits into their creative work. Many artists say they are using AI as a practical tool, for example to overcome writer’s block or experiment with new ideas, while still believing that human emotion and authenticity remain central to music.
Using artificial intelligence to break communication barriers for deaf communities
AI is also being used to tackle accessibility challenges. At Web Summit Qatar, the Polish company Migam showcased technology designed to translate spoken language into sign language in real time. The aim is to make digital platforms - from streaming services to video calls - more accessible for millions of deaf users around the world, demonstrating how AI could expand communication as well as creativity.
The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss).
Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz
Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.
🎥 Learn more about what we do:
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/
📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co
➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co
📱 Follow us on socials:
➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en)
➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co)
➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)
If you like our show please rate and review us.
7 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT
AI Beyond Business: Digital Rights, NGOs, and the Fight Against Food Waste
How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Work of NGOs
AI is increasingly shaping the work of non-profits and civil society groups. In this episode we speak with experts from Access Now about how NGOs are using AI to strengthen cybersecurity analysis and digital protection, while also navigating serious concerns around privacy, misinformation, and the safe handling of sensitive data.
Using AI to Reduce Waste in the Global Food Supply
Food waste remains a major global challenge, often caused by poor coordination across the supply chain. We speak with the founder of WadyAI, a platform using artificial intelligence to help suppliers and restaurants digitise orders, analyse demand, and order food more accurately - with the goal of reducing waste and improving efficiency in the food system.
The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast--6924871/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss).
Production manager: Liz Tuohy
Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz
Somewhere on Earth Productions UK Ltd. We’re a UK based production company creating podcasts and branded content that bring stories, places and people into focus. We’re all ex-BBC so the quality of the content is excellent and quality of the sound is amazing.
🎥 Learn more about what we do:
➡️ Official Website: https://somewhereonearth.co/
📩 Contact us or book a project: hello@somewhereonearth.co
➡️ Email: hello@somewhereonearth.co
📱 Follow us on socials:
➡️ Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soeptech/?hl=en)
➡️ Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/httpssomewhereonearth.co)
➡️ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast)
If you like our show please rate and review us.
Inside a recent episode
AI, Music & Accessibility: How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing Creativity and Communication
Published 14 Apr 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] We are working in Poland for more than 2 ,400 clients, including government, business, a lot of banks, telecommunication companies and so on. Our clients decided to use our solution to being accessible for their clients and customers. It's because of a legal obligation, for example, under European Accessibility Act or Americans with Disabilities Act. Accessibility is a must -have globally for a lot of businesses. So this is why we are earning enough money to build our own Generative AI model for sign language automation. First, what we have done, it was 2012 when we have built our first neural network for sign language automation. […]
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
