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...

Digitising public life in the US – making America e-smart Many governments and local authorities around the world have moved many, if not all their public services online, from filing tax returns to e-passports and food assistance schemes. However, the United States is lagging behind, with many civic services providing lengthy and user-unfriendly systems. CEO of Code for America, the nonprofit social organisation that’s bringing about much of this digital change in public life, Amanda...

Subscriber-only episode Digitising public life in the US – making America e-smart Many governments and local authorities around the world have moved many, if not all their public services online, from filing tax returns to e-passports and food assistance schemes. However, the United States is lagging behind, with many civic services providing lengthy and user-unfriendly systems. CEO of Code for America, the nonprofit social organisation that’s bringing about much of this digital change in...

Jimmy Wales - Wikipedia co-founder - answers your questions We speak to the one and only “Wiki Guy” as even he describes himself. Wikipedia and Wikimedia co-founder Jimmy Wales joins Gareth and Ghislaine on the show. He will be talking about his new project called Trust Café and answering your questions on amongst other things Wikipedia’s moderation policies and the impact of large language models on the online encyclopaedia. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio...

Subscriber-only episode Jimmy Wales - Wikipedia co-founder - answers your questions We speak to the one and only “Wiki Guy” as even he describes himself. Wikipedia and Wikimedia co-founder Jimmy Wales joins Gareth and Ghislaine on the show. He will be talking about his new project called Trust Café and answering your questions on amongst other things Wikipedia’s moderation policies and the impact of large language models on the online encyclopaedia. The programme is presented by Gareth...

A gentle ask for your (financial) support Dear lovely Somewhere on Earth Subscribers (or SOEPSUDS for short) here's a short message from Gareth, reminding you about our podextra shows.  For $10US a month, you can hear extended interviews from our guests, details about how they came to be where they are now and even some new additional stories from time to time.  We appreciate that in these hard times it's a big ask, that's why we have the shorter free and accessible version.  We are...

Tech in Ukraine after two years of war Two years ago Russia invaded Ukraine and in that time, the country’s already booming tech sector has adapted and changed rapidly. In 2022 it was service led, providing IT development for companies outside its borders. Now though things have changed significantly and not only are the tech savvy helping the war effort, but many entrepreneurs are also looking to the future and planning on rebuilding a Smart Ukraine. Iryna Volnytska is the President of SET...

Subscriber-only episode Tech in Ukraine after two years of war Two years ago Russia invaded Ukraine and in that time, the country’s already booming tech sector has adapted and changed rapidly. In 2022 it was service led, providing IT development for companies outside its borders. Now though things have changed significantly and not only are the tech savvy helping the war effort, but many entrepreneurs are also looking to the future and planning on rebuilding a Smart Ukraine. Iryna Volnytska...

Diagnosing TB using AI and a mobile phone Diagnosing tuberculosis is cumbersome and not all tests are available in developing countries.  Now a team of scientists has used AI to allow a mobile phone to identify if someone’s cough could be a sign of TB.  Dr Manuja Sharma, from the University of Washington is on the show to tell us how they used machine learning to identify more than 33,000 coughs and tested the tech in a clinic in Kenya. Payment card to fund cutting edge research Every time...

Subscriber-only episode Diagnosing TB using AI and a mobile phone Diagnosing tuberculosis is cumbersome and not all tests are available in developing countries.  Now a team of scientists has used AI to allow a mobile phone to identify if someone’s cough could be a sign of TB.  Dr Manuja Sharma, from the University of Washington is on the show to tell us how they used machine learning to identify more than 33,000 coughs and tested the tech in a clinic in Kenya. Payment card to fund cutting...

A special guest on Somewhere on Earth, your help needed We have a very special annoucement and we need you help.  We have the co-founder of Wikipedia and founder of the Wikimedia Foundation Jimmy Wales coming on the show.  But instead of us asking the questions, we want to hand over to you.  What would you like to ask Jimmy Wales?  Please send us your questions by Friday 16th February  via our social media channels, email hello@somewhereonearth,co, leave us a voice or written message on...

Subscriber-only episode A special guest on Somewhere on Earth, your help needed We have a very special annoucement and we need you help.  We have the co-founder of Wikipedia and founder of the Wikimedia Foundation Jimmy Wales coming on the show.  But instead of us asking the questions, we want to hand over to you.  What would you like to ask Jimmy Wales?  Please send us your questions by Friday 16th February  via our social media channels, email hello@somewhereonearth,co, leave us a voice or...

The British Post Office Technology Scandal The British Post Office scandal saw more than 900 subpostmasters convicted of theft, fraud and false accounting.  However, it was faulty account software called Horizon and made by Fujitsu, that was to blame. The personal tragedies of those involved have been documented recently in a TV drama in the UK. But what was actually wrong with the software itself? Susi O’Neill, business technology communications expert, is on the show to explain what went...

Subscriber-only episode The British Post Office Technology Scandal The British Post Office scandal saw more than 900 subpostmasters convicted of theft, fraud and false accounting.  However, it was faulty account software called Horizon and made by Fujitsu, that was to blame. The personal tragedies of those involved have been documented recently in a TV drama in the UK. But what was actually wrong with the software itself? Susi O’Neill, business technology communications expert, is on the show...

The Global AI Arms Race Leading global powers have for some time been positioning themselves at the forefront of AI development. All these governments see AI as such a powerful tool they want to be first to be in control, however they also want to regulate it. But with regulations, development can be slow says Dr Kerry McInerney from the University of Cambridge and the AI Now Institute, which leaves the dilemma of who should control AI progress? Dr McInerney is on the show to discuss the...

Subscriber-only episode The Global AI Arms Race Leading global powers have for some time been positioning themselves at the forefront of AI development. All these governments see AI as such a powerful tool they want to be first to be in control, however they also want to regulate it. But with regulations, development can be slow says Dr Kerry McInerney from the University of Cambridge and the AI Now Institute, which leaves the dilemma of who should control AI progress? Dr McInerney is on the...

A Bitcoin transaction ‘uses a swimming pool of water’ Every Bitcoin transaction uses about the same amount of water as a backyard swimming pool according to a study published in the journal Cell Reports Sustainability. That’s around six million times more than a credit card swipe. The vast amounts of water are needed as Bitcoin uses so much computing power, and in turn, electricity to complete a single transaction on the blockchain ledger. Digiconomist and author of the study Alex de Vries...

Subscriber-only episode A Bitcoin transaction ‘uses a swimming pool of water’ Every Bitcoin transaction uses about the same amount of water as a backyard swimming pool according to a study published in the journal Cell Reports Sustainability. That’s around six million times more than a credit card swipe. The vast amounts of water are needed as Bitcoin uses so much computing power, and in turn, electricity to complete a single transaction on the blockchain ledger. Digiconomist and author of...

Subscriber-only episode The true cost of Internet shutdowns across the world Internet shutdowns around the world cost more than $9 billion US according to Top10vpn.com. Their annual report “The Global Cost of Internet Shutdowns” shows that 196 major self-imposed internet blackouts happened in 25 countries and 747 million people were impacted. Russia, Ethiopia and Iran were the worst culprits. Unsurprisingly, 50% of the outages were linked to additional human rights abuses. Samuel Woodhams,...

The true cost of Internet shutdowns across the world  Internet shutdowns around the world cost more than $9 billion US according to Top10vpn.com. Their annual report “The Global Cost of Internet Shutdowns” shows that 196 major self-imposed internet blackouts happened in 25 countries and 747 million people were impacted. Russia, Ethiopia and Iran were the worst culprits. Unsurprisingly, 50% of the outages were linked to additional human rights abuses. Samuel Woodhams, Digital Rights Lead at...