The rising energy cost of AI & how tech impacts sustainability

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

The Disturbing Reality of AI-Generated AbuseA new study reveals nearly 35,000 publicly downloadable AI models capable of generating deepfake pornography—often targeting women and celebrities. These "model variants" can be tweaked to create millions of non-consensual intimate images, fuelling a growing crisis in digital exploitation. Researchers identified 35,000 deepfake model variants in public repositories, with each model being used to generate countless AI-generated explicit images of real people. While 35,000 models may seem small compared to the vast internet, each one represents a potential weapon for harassment. Experts warn that without stricter regulation, deepfake abuse could spiral further out of control. The study was led by Will Hawkins from the Oxford Internet Institute. He joins Gareth and Ghislaine on the show.    MySQL at 30: The Unsung Hero Powering Facebook, the Web & Your Data - The Database That Quietly Runs the InternetYou’ve probably never heard of it—but your data lives on MySQL. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, this open-source database is the invisible backbone of Facebook, countless websites, and nearly every major online service. It’s an open-source success story, which relies on simplicity and speed and it’s easy to set up. We spoke with Peter Zaitsev, who joined MySQL in 2002 and later co-founded Percona, a leading database consultancy.  Next time you log into Facebook or book a flight, remember - there’s a 30-year-old database working behind the scenes. Not bad for a tech "underdog."   The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ghislaine Boddington. More on this week's stories: Dramatic rise in publicly downloadable deep fake image generators 1995-2025: MySQL at 30!   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

In this episode of Somewhere on Earth, we dive into groundbreaking tech innovations with a purpose. Join us as we speak with Eduardo Peixoto, CEO of Brazil’s CESAR Innovation Hub, about cutting-edge projects like a smart lipstick prototype and a real-time sign language translator — game-changing tools designed to empower people with disabilities. We also explore inclusive tech initiatives shaping accessibility in Latin America. Plus, we meet Trela, an ambitious online grocery startup that's transforming healthy eating in Brazil through tech-driven solutions. CEO Guilherme Nazareth shares how Trela is disrupting the online grocery space. Whether you're into disability tech, social impact innovation, or the latest in global tech entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Subscribe now and tune in!   The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz.   More on this week's stories: CESAR Trela   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 social media: 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

#ownyourdata with Brittany Kaiser Whistle blower and data activist Brittany Kaiser, whose story is told in the Netflix documentary “The Great Hack”, joins Gareth and Ania on stage at Web Summit Rio. She talks about her latest initiative that will allow Brazilians to get paid for sharing their data. RoostEdge – new SOEP sponsor CEO of RoostEdge Eliezer Silveira Filho is on stage to tell us about how RoostEdge is connecting technologies and people, generating innovative, intelligent and high-impact solutions using Edge Computing and IoT, whilst also working with tech for good initiatives. We’re delighted to announce that we are partnering with Roost and you will be hearing more from Roost’s clients over the coming months. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz. More on this week's stories: Brittany Kaiser #ownyourdata RoostEdge Web Summit Rio 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

From Algorithm to Action: How AI & Automation are Redefining Business In this episode, we dive into the booming technology scene in Brazil — now the 5th largest digital economy in the world. With over 260 million active mobile phones (more than there are people in Brazil!) and major investments in digital transformation, Brazil is rapidly becoming a global tech powerhouse. We’re joined by Alexandre Conceição, Strategic Business Executive Director, and Yan Sym, Data Science Manager, both from Qintess, a leading global digital consulting company rooted in Brazil’s innovation ecosystem. Tune in as we explore cutting-edge trends in AI and the future of digital banking. The programme is presented by Angelica Mari and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz.   More on this week's stories: Qintess LinkedIn  InstagramAlexandre Conceição Yan Sym 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: Facebook 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