Send us a Text Message.Indian Elections; deep fakes, false memes, and misinformation galoreResurrecting dead politicians in election campaigns online may sound unbelievable, but in the Indian elections it seems that almost anything is possible. From deep fakes and AI meme wars to bogus audio messages, Bangalore based investigative journalist Nilesh Christopher has been reporting on them all. He’s on the show to tell us how voters are being manipulated online.A quarter of the world...

Subscriber-only episodeSend us a Text Message.Indian Elections; deep fakes, false memes, and misinformation galoreResurrecting dead politicians in election campaigns online may sound unbelievable, but in the Indian elections it seems that almost anything is possible. From deep fakes and AI meme wars to bogus audio messages, Bangalore based investigative journalist Nilesh Christopher has been reporting on them all. He’s on the show to tell us how voters are being manipulated online...

Send us a Text Message. How AI is saving lives and languages in Ghana In general, people in the developing world are optimistic about the potential of AI. Of course, there are some concerns about job security and fairness, but overall, the positive outlook outweighs the negative. However, this is not the case in countries like Ghana, where suspicion and fear prevail. Interestingly, even with Google's significant presence in the country, the sentiment remains unchanged. That's why we have...

Subscriber-only episodeSend us a Text Message.How AI is saving lives and languages in GhanaIn general, people in the developing world are optimistic about the potential of AI. Of course, there are some concerns about job security and fairness, but overall, the positive outlook outweighs the negative. However, this is not the case in countries like Ghana, where suspicion and fear prevail. Interestingly, even with Google's significant presence in the country, the sentiment remains unchanged. Th...

Send us a Text Message.Can ‘small’ AI have a huge impact in sub Saharan Africa? Artificial intelligence is usually fed with large datasets allowing the technology to create what should be well balanced algorithms – but what happens when large data sets aren’t available or the impact of the AI could have a very significant impact on people’s lives? Researchers at Tufts University in the United States have started a program focusing on what they refer to as "small" AI - applications that have s...

Subscriber-only episodeSend us a Text Message.Can ‘small’ AI have a huge impact in sub Saharan Africa?Artificial intelligence is usually fed with large datasets allowing the technology to create what should be well balanced algorithms – but what happens when large data sets aren’t available or the impact of the AI could have a very significant impact on people’s lives? Researchers at Tufts University in the United States have started a program focusing on what they refer to as "small" AI - ap...

Send us a Text Message.AI for peace – using artificial intelligence to manage conflict and maintain peaceWith numerous ongoing conflicts in places like Sudan, Israel-Iran, Gaza, Ukraine, and Syria, peace can seem scarce in today's world. However, artificial intelligence could play a role is managing wars. A new book titled “AI for Peace” provides a roadmap for using artificial intelligence to promote peace. While machine learning is often portrayed negatively, it has real potential for foreca...

Subscriber-only episodeSend us a Text Message.AI for peace – using artificial intelligence to manage conflict and maintain peaceWith numerous ongoing conflicts in places like Sudan, Israel-Iran, Gaza, Ukraine, and Syria, peace can seem scarce in today's world. However, artificial intelligence could play a role is managing wars. A new book titled “AI for Peace” provides a roadmap for using artificial intelligence to promote peace. While machine learning is often portrayed negatively, it has re...

Send us a Text Message.World Cybercrime Index – Where are the cybercriminals hiding?Russia leads the list of countries that host cybercrime, followed by Ukraine, China, the USA, Nigeria and Romania, according to a new study by an international team of researchers. The findings come from anonymous questionnaires completed by ninety-two cybercrime experts. The researchers say this survey approach overcomes a major challenge in investigating cybercrime - the anonymity of perpetrators who conceal...

Send us a Text Message.Dear Lovely SOEP listener,Just a little shout out to remind you that we also do a PodExtra version of the show. For just $10US a month you can hear more of our guests and even new stories, as well as even more chat between Gareth and our studio experts. We know it's a big ask but we really do appreciate all your support.Just click on the link below to subscribe:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2265960/subscribeMany thanksThe SOEP TeamSupport the Show.Editor: Ania ...

Subscriber-only episodeSend us a Text Message.World Cybercrime Index – Where are the cybercriminals hiding?Russia leads the list of countries that host cybercrime, followed by Ukraine, China, the USA, Nigeria and Romania, according to a new study by an international team of researchers. The findings come from anonymous questionnaires completed by ninety-two cybercrime experts. The researchers say this survey approach overcomes a major challenge in investigating cybercrime - the anonymity of p...

Send us a Text Message. Is crypto currency supporting terrorism? With the phasing out of cash transactions we’ve seen a rise in digital and other transactions. One of the currencies that’s in the ascendancy are crypto currencies, whose place in the market according to Forbes magazine, has shifted from one of fear to neutral, and now to greed. In other words it’s hugely on the up. After facing some downturns a few years ago, it’s now collectively worth more than a trillion dollars. One of the...

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. Is crypto currency supporting terrorism? With the phasing out of cash transactions we’ve seen a rise in digital and other transactions. One of the currencies that’s in the ascendancy are crypto currencies, whose place in the market according to Forbes magazine, has shifted from one of fear to neutral, and now to greed. In other words it’s hugely on the up. After facing some downturns a few years ago, it’s now collectively worth more than a...

Send us a Text Message. Tech stories that matter – what should we be reporting on? A little extra episode for our lovely SOEP Subscribers.  Just over a year ago the BBC axed its flagship global tech radio show – Digital Planet.  A few of the listeners (we did have 1.5million downloads a year BTW) got together in London to reminisce and remember the programme.  Here’s a short recording from that evening where some of the team discussed what stories they would have been covering if Digital...

Subscriber-only episode Send us a Text Message. YouTube approves disinformation ads in India in run up to election A recent joint investigation conducted by Access Now and Global Witness reveals that YouTube is giving its approval to election disinformation ads in India prior to the country's general election. The investigation "Votes will not be counted", discovered that YouTube is endorsing ads that make baseless allegations of electoral fraud, spread lies about voting procedures, and...

Send us a Text Message. YouTube approves disinformation ads in India in run up to election A recent joint investigation conducted by Access Now and Global Witness reveals that YouTube is giving its approval to election disinformation ads in India prior to the country's general election. The investigation "Votes will not be counted", discovered that YouTube is endorsing ads that make baseless allegations of electoral fraud, spread lies about voting procedures, and launch attacks on the...

SOEP meets Dame Steve Shirley – a coding female pioneer Dame Stephanie (Steve) Shirley is a game changer in whatever she does and we were delighted that she agreed to chat to Somewhere on Earth.  She arrived in England as an unaccompanied child refugee on the Kindertransport in 1939. She convinced her all girls’ school to allow her to learn maths at the boys’ school and in 1962 started a software business from her dining table which grew to have 8,500 employees and was worth US$3bn. The...

Subscriber-only episode SOEP meets Dame Steve Shirley – a coding female pioneer Dame Stephanie (Steve) Shirley is a game changer in whatever she does and we were delighted that she agreed to chat to Somewhere on Earth. She arrived in England as an unaccompanied child refugee on the Kindertransport in 1939. She convinced her all girls’ school to allow her to learn maths at the boys’ school and in 1962 started a software business from her dining table which grew to have 8,500 employees and was...

West Africa Internet – when will it be fixed? As many as a dozen countries across West and Central Africa were cut off from the internet and are still experiencing significant connection issues following damage to submarine cables.  Now a repair ship is enroute to fix the d­­amage, but it will be some time before services return to normal.  What happened, how was traffic rerouted and how will the cable be repaired, are questions that SOEP will answer. Joining us on the show are Alp Toker,...

Subscriber-only episode West Africa Internet – when will it be fixed? As many as a dozen countries across West and Central Africa were cut off from the internet and are still experiencing significant connection issues following damage to submarine cables.  Now a repair ship is enroute to fix the d­­amage, but it will be some time before services return to normal.  What happened, how was traffic rerouted and how will the cable be repaired, are questions that SOEP will answer. Joining us on the...

AI for Africa – one young female scientist’s drive to develop solutions We meet Rokhaya Diagne, a twenty something AI developer and entrepreneur who is using AI to overcome Africa’s specific challenges.  She’s currently creating a diagnostic platform for malaria in Senegal as well as using underwater drones to map and monitor biodiversity for marine conservation agencies and to improve fishing. Unlocking Africa's job creation potential Fewer than 25% of  jobseekers in Africa secure formal...

Subscriber-only episode AI for Africa – one young female scientist’s drive to develop solutions We meet Rokhaya Diagne, a twenty something AI developer and entrepreneur who is using AI to overcome Africa’s specific challenges.  She’s currently creating a diagnostic platform for malaria in Senegal as well as using underwater drones to map and monitor biodiversity for marine conservation agencies and to improve fishing. Unlocking Africa's job creation potential Fewer than 25% of  jobseekers...

Anti-poaching tech – does it work? Anti-poaching initiatives are making increasing use of technology, such as infrared thermography but with an array of tech out there, what should governments, wildlife charities and NGO’s be using? Professor Adam Hart, from the University of Gloucestershire, is a conservationist who’s been testing environmental tech as well as using his hacking skills to protect wildlife. From using drones to monitor large mammals in the African bush to creating homemade...

Subscriber-only episode Anti-poaching tech – does it work? Anti-poaching initiatives are making increasing use of technology, such as infrared thermography but with an array of tech out there, what should governments, wildlife charities and NGO’s be using? Professor Adam Hart, from the University of Gloucestershire, is a conservationist who’s been testing environmental tech as well as using his hacking skills to protect wildlife. From using drones to monitor large mammals in the African bush...