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This week on Witness History, the smart speaker Alexa is used by hundreds of millions of people around the world.
But did you know its voice was created by two students in Poland.
After watching old sci fi movies, Wukas and Mekow decided they could create a device which sounded less robotic and more like a human.
After spending years developing their own technology, they started winning awards and big companies like Amazon took notice.
Search and subscribe to Witness History wherever you get your podcasts.
Welcome to the documentary from the BBC World Service.
I'm Stephen Sackar, host of the BBC's Hard Talk podcast with in depth, hard hitting interviews with newsmakers from around the world.
Welcome to Hard Talk from the BBC World Service with me, Stephen Sacher.
Today's is a special program remembering some of the past Hard Talk guests who died in 2024.
All of them made a significant impact on the world around them, whether it be in politics, civil society, activism, or in culture.
Let's start with Alexei Navalny, the anti corruption campaigner and Russia's most prominent opposition leader who was targeted for assassination several times.
He miraculously survived poisoning with deadly Novichok nerve agent.
In 2020, having recuperated in Germany, he returned to Russia where he was swiftly convicted and imprisoned in the harshest of conditions.
His death was announced on February 16 this year.
Back in 2017, I spoke to him in his Moscow office as he made plans to run against Vladimir Putin.
I'm not a naive person.
I understand that Kremlin is very unhappy with me running and I understand that they will do everything to prevent me from running.
And recently several Kremlin's officials said that he's not allowed to participate.
But still I'm going to appeal to the people and ask for them support.