In the fog of the COVID-19 crisis, the positive impact of technology and innovation is being magnified. The prevailing global pandemic is challenging every facet of our way-of-life. Our communities are morphing into a distancimitocracy model and our public discourse is turning into a new form of ignoramitocracy. Amidst these exceptional circumstances, disruptive technologies are nevertheless offering us unprecedented solutions – and much needed solace.
The thesis that societal and economic shocks favorably impact the momentum of disruptive technologies is not new. In fact, we have seen market players during crises doubling down on their offerings in order to continue serving their customers and expand their reach. In time of COVID-19, we are witnessing a magnifying glass effect of these technologies.
The most common manifestation has been the digitization of our daily routines. Zooming has replaced meeting, Canvas has redefined the classroom, Peleton has outpaced the gym, Teladoc has become what the doctor ordered, Shopify has taken over the store, Amazon has bezosified the mall, and e-money has become the neighborhood bank. Baby boomers (including yours truly) have firmly joined Generations X, Y, and Z in this societal transformation.
Along with digitization, we are witnessing the mainstream rise of automation and its importance during this pandemic. Faster and safer testing has become the ‘cris de guerre’ of every nation to combat COVID-19, and automation has emerged as a key enabler of this effort. As e-shoppers we are increasingly relying on automation, with the robotization of Amazon’s warehouses as a powerful demonstration of a nascent technology that is now essential to the resilience of the delivery model. As bonus, it also fits the new social distancing norm.
Cognition is the third technology leg being amplified through the COVID-19 magnifying glass. AI is being put to use to take down misinformation, sniff out signs of outbreak, triage patients, uncover treatments based on existing drugs, and accelerate the development of vaccines. While less visible, cognitive capabilities are also playing a central role in enabling our WFH model. Whether we are using productivity, collaboration, and/or cyber security tools, each of these instruments is increasingly relying on AI to improve performance.
The new magnifying glass, while undesired, is helping us reap the rewards of disruptive technologies and innovations at a formidable pace. I would also posit that their impact will outlast this crisis. When all is said and done, and the COVID-19 chapter is firmly closed, these advancements will be further woven into the fabric of our economies and societies.
Viewpoints for the curious mind 