Weddings Reimagined: VR vows, smart rings & the rise of intimacy tech | Bridechilla x Somewhere on Earth

No Internet for a year: Why Equatorial Guinea has kept Annobón island offline For 12 months, the people of Annobón, an island province of Equatorial Guinea, have lived in a digital blackout - cut off from the world with no explanation. Why would a government deliberately silence its own citizens? In this episode of Somewhere on Earth, we speak with Tutu Alicante (EG Justice) and Felicia Anthonio (Access Now) about the shocking reality of one of the world’s longest-running internet shutdowns. Digital rights groups are now demanding action - but will the world listen?  From oil giant to climate ally? How Petrobras is unlocking emissions data for the world What if the key to fighting climate change wasn’t just more data - but making it accessible to everyone? In a groundbreaking partnership, Brazil’s Petrobras and tech hub CESAR have transformed dense emissions reports into an interactive public dashboard tracking G20 nations’ climate progress. Could making this complex scientific data easily accessible and understandable bring real change? 💡 Want more investigative journalism? Support Somewhere on Earth for $10US/month at Pod.fan or Buy Us a Coffee! The best way to help? Share this episode with a friend. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz.   More on this week's stories: Access Now – Keep it On Campaign - Annobón EG Justice Petrobas/CESAR Climate Data Dashboard   Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz For the PodExtra version of the show please subscribe via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram BlueSky YouTube   If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify   Contact us by email: [email protected] Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484   Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bridechilla x Somewhere on Earth - Episode 2 What happens when Bridechilla meets Somewhere on Earth? Tech, tradition, and a touch of tulle collide in the second of two special crossover episodes, exploring how technology is transforming weddings around the world.  In Episode 2, hosts Gareth Mitchell and Leah Haslage dive into intimacy tech, virtual reality ceremonies and even hologram guests with award-winning body-tech pioneer and regular Somewhere on Earth studio expert Professor Ghislaine Boddington.  You’ll hear how today’s weddings are blending real-world love with digital innovation - from heartbeat-sharing smart rings to 360° livestreamed vows, and NFT wedding certificates in the metaverse. Plus, a special field report from India with Somewhere on Earth studio expert  Chhavi Sachdev, revealing how the wedding tech boom is revolutionizing big fat Indian weddings. The show is presented by Leah Haslage and Gareth Mitchell. More on this week's stories: Ghislaine Boddington Bridechilla Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz For the PodExtra version of the show please subscribe via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram BlueSky YouTube   If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify   Contact us by email: [email protected]   Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484   Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when one of the world’s top wedding podcasts teams up with a global tech show? Magic. Or at least a stress-free wedding planned with #AI. In this special crossover episode of Bridechilla and Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast, hosts Leah Haslage and Gareth Mitchell join forces to explore how artificial intelligence and tech tools are revolutionizing the wedding experience. From AI-assisted guest lists to ChatGPT powered etiquette fixes, you'll learn: How to use AI to streamline planning, clean up guest addresses, and handle tricky family conversations. Budget-friendly tech hacks to keep your wedding spending in check. How to build a custom playlist, write a speech with ChatGPT, and create your own wedding website or app. Our guest Jaime Coast, an accomplished artist and wedding stationer, shares where AI shines (and where it shouldn’t) in design and planning. Somewhere on Earth regular studio expert Angelica Mari brings us a report from Web Summit Rio, where she chats with Carolina Kia Takada about the new WhatsApp wedding AI assistant she has created, that’s helping couples plan their big day with ease. Stay Tuned: In the next episode, we dive into intimate tech and weddings in the metaverse. Don’t miss it. The programme is presented by Leah Haslage and Gareth Mitchell.   More on this week's stories: ⁠Cotton and Bow⁠ ⁠Carolina Kia Takada⁠ ⁠Bridechilla⁠   Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz For the PodExtra version of the show please subscribe via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram BlueSky YouTube   If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify   Contact us by email: [email protected]   Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484   Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meta’s Submarine Cable Megaproject Meta’s Project Waterworth isn’t just another undersea cable - it’s an 50,000km+ behemoth set to link continents, with India’s data centres as a key hub. Doctoral researcher Anniki Mikelsaar from the Oxford Internet Institute breaks down its geopolitical stakes: Will it dodge regulatory battles? The project also raises questions about regulation and security. Who controls these underwater data highways? As demand for low-latency connections grows, Meta’s investment could redefine how the world stays online - and who profits from it. AI vs. Diabetic Foot Ulcers Diabetes can silently attack nerves, leading to foot ulcers that risk amputation. Enter LookInside, an AI app that diagnoses ulcers in seconds using smartphone scans. Founder Dr. Hermilio Carvalho explains how it could slash global healthcare costs—and why it’s part of a wave of AI tools fighting diabetes’ invisible threats. Tinder’s double dating revolution Swipe culture just got safer: Tinder’s Double Date lets users’ team up with a friend to match with pairs. Gareth cheers it as a no-brainer for safety, while Chhavi wonders: Could this kill awkward first-date small talk? Either way, it’s a bold step towards reimagining digital dating. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Chhavi Sachdev. More on this week's stories: Meta’s submarine cable – the longest ever LookInside – Diagnosing diabetic foot ulcers with AI Tinder Double Dating For the PodExtra version of the show please subscribe via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on all the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram BlueSky YouTube   If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify   Contact us by email: [email protected]   Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484   Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The rising energy cost of AI & how tech impacts sustainability The growing demand for AI comes with a staggering energy price tag. Research by Alex de Vries reveals that AI could consume nearly half of global data centre power by the end of 2025, surpassing even cryptocurrency mining. As models like DeepSeek AI advance, so does their electricity consumption, raising urgent questions about sustainability. How can tech companies balance innovation with environmental responsibility? And could policy changes or more efficient hardware help reduce AI’s carbon footprint? Digiconomist Alex De Vries is on the show. Fighting food waste with tech: The app rescuing surplus meals Startups like Food to Save are tackling another global crisis: food waste. By connecting restaurants, bakeries and takeaways with unsold meals to people who need them, the app turns nearly expired - but perfectly safe - food into affordable "Surprise Bags." Could this model work worldwide? From Kenya’s food waste challenges to AI predicting food insecurity using satellite data, innovative solutions are emerging. Hear from Food to Save’s co-founder Lucas Infante on how tech can help reduce waste—one meal at a time. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Wairimu Gitahi.   More on this week's stories: AI power demand rapidly escalating Food to Save Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz For the PodExtra version of the show please subscribe via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram BlueSky YouTube   If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify   Contact us by email: [email protected]  Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484   Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Next-Gen Black Boxes: Saving lives with Real-time Data Traditional black boxes—Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVR) and Flight Data Recorders (FDR)—have critical flaws. CVRs often overwrite audio after just two hours, while FDRs require physical recovery, delaying crash investigations. Honeywell’s new HCR-25 solves these issues with a 25-hour CVR and live satellite data streaming, ensuring instant access to flight data even if the physical box is lost. This tech could have transformed probes like the Air India 171 or Air France 447 investigations, where recovery took years. Though retrofitting costs are high, global regulators are pushing adoption to prevent future tragedies. Frost Away: How Chile’s Tech Shields Farmers Frost devastates crops, but Chilean startup Frost Away fights back. Its AI-powered mesh networks predict frosts hours in advance, alerting farmers to protect fields. Similar challenges exist in India, where apps, often paid for, offer partial solutions. Frost Away’s innovation highlights the need for affordable, scalable agritech in vulnerable regions.   The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Chhavi Sachdev.   More on this week's stories: Honeywell HCR-25 FrostAway   Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz For the PodExtra version of the show please subscribe via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on all the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram BlueSky YouTube   If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify   Contact us by email: [email protected]   Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484   Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WhatsApp voice notes are revolutionizing English learning in Brazil Forget expensive apps - Storm Education is teaching English via WhatsApp voice notes, memes, and chats, targeting Brazil’s 95% non-English speaking population. Founder Marcos Almirante reveals how his startup scaled to 100,000+ students entirely within WhatsApp—and why traditional language apps should be worried. Cabo Verde’s offline EdTech breakthrough: Education without internet Angola-based Wongo just launched in Cabo Verde, bringing mobile lessons to sex workers, rural youth, and offline communities. Their secret? Pre-loaded courses that work without WiFi. Executive Director Joel Cruz explains how this model could bridge Africa’s digital divide. Women-led startups outperform men - but still get less funding Data shows female-founded businesses deliver higher returns, yet they receive just 2% of venture capital. The Cartier Women’s Initiative is changing that - by backing 330 women across 66 countries every year for more than 18 years, and applications for this year’s awards are OPEN until 24th June. Global Director Wingee Sin shares why awards like these are game-changers. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Wairimu Gitahi. More on this week's stories: Storm Education Wongo Cartier Women’s Initiative Cartier – Science and Technology Pioneer Award Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz For the PodExtra version of the show please subscribe via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on the socials: Facebook Instagram BlueSky YouTube If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Contact us by email: [email protected] Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484 Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wisdomia: Chat with Da Vinci & Ada Lovelace in 3D Imagine learning calculus from Ada Lovelace or art theory from Leonardo da Vinci—digitally resurrected in 3D AI avatars. That’s the vision behind Wisdomia, the first Web3.0 edutainment marketplace blending gamified learning with immersive history. Founder Dinis Guarda joins us to explain how users interact with AI versions of geniuses, explore 3D-rendered wonders like the Temple of Artemis, and earn rewards while learning. “This isn’t Wikipedia in 3D,”  he says—"it’s a tipping point for education."   H&M’s Digital Model Twins: Innovation or Job Threat? Fashion meets the metaverse as H&M scans real models to create AI “digital twins” for campaigns. While the brand calls it a "creative enhancement”, critics warn of lost jobs for photographers, makeup artists, and models themselves. “Is this sustainability or just cost-cutting?”, we ask digital twin expert Ghislaine Boddington.   Premier League’s VAR goes Semi-Automated- Fans Fume Football’s robot referees are causing chaos! The new semi-automated offside system uses 10,000 data points per player to make calls—but when it falters humans have to step in.   The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ghislaine Boddington.   More on this week's stories: Wisdomia Dinis Guarda Businessabc AI Global Summit H&M; Digital Twin Models Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SOAT)   Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz For the PodExtra version of the show please subscribe via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on all the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram BlueSky   If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify   Contact us by email: [email protected] Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484   Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brazil’s UNESP transforms its IT infrastructure to compete globally Imagine a university shackled by slow, outdated tech - now picture it rivalling global giants in connectivity and innovation. That’s exactly what happened when São Paulo State University (UNESP) teamed up with Brazilian IT powerhouse RoostEdge to completely overhaul its IT infrastructure across 34 campuses in just 18 months; swapping clunky legacy systems for a lightning-fast, future-proof network that’s now the envy of universities worldwide. The secret? A powerhouse partnership between UNESP’s Director of Technology, Professor Ney Lemke and RoostEdge’s visionary CEO Eliezer Silveira Filho, proving that when academia and industry join forces, even the most ambitious digital transformations become reality. But here’s the kicker - this isn’t just a win for UNESP; it’s a roadmap for any institution ready to ditch sluggish systems, attract top talent, and supercharge research with cutting-edge tech. The programme is presented by Angelica Mari and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz.   More on this week's stories: UNESP RoostEdge Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz For the PodExtra version of the show please subscribe via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram BlueSky   If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify   Contact us by email: [email protected] Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484   Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scaling Solar Access Across Brazil magine accessing affordable solar power with just a few clicks - no rooftop panels, no upfront costs, just clean energy delivered through smart, decentralized infrastructure. That’s the vision transforming communities across Brazil, where millions are still priced out of the energy transition. Leading this project is Pedro Somma, CEO of Luz Energia. He explains how the company is building a digital-first platform to democratize solar energy, offering energy-as-a-service and unlocking real impact in underserved regions. It’s not just innovation - it’s climate equity at scale. Can tech remove CO2 permanently from the atmosphere? Julia Sekula, CFO of Terradot describes how they are scaling carbon dioxide removal (CDR) through Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) in Brazil. Backed by a multi-year deal with Microsoft to remove 12,000 tonnes of CO₂, Terradot is pioneering one of the most advanced ERW monitoring efforts to date. With nearly 50,000 tonnes of rock deployed across 2,000 hectares, Terradot is targeting its first carbon credits in 2025. Sirius Education Editor Ania is also out and about talking to startups - this week we meet the Founder of Sirius Education, Arnobio Morelix. They are training professionals to be ready for the jobs of the future. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Angelica Mari. More on this week's stories: Luz Energia Terradot Sirius Education Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz For the PodExtra version of the show please subscribe via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on all the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram BlueSky   If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify   Contact us by email: [email protected]   Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484   Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices