Looking back at Black Death, the pandemic that struck Italy between 1347-1351 CE and killed nearly 60% of European population, one wonders how people would have managed back then when technology was not so evolved. Digital evolution was alien to the global population of those times. Today, with all the technological advancements ushered in with the digital age, information is now everywhere. The state of being aware of what is happening around the globe is unprecedented. Like it or not, technological evolution and its associated globalization is what has brought the pandemic and is also helping us in fighting against it.
This pandemic has triggered an unprecedented demand for digital health technology solutions that is helping in population screening, tracking the infection, prioritizing the use and allocation of resources, and designing targeted responses. The possibilities that digital technology is offering could lead to a situation where the debates and deliberations among the youths in schools and colleges on topics such as “whether technology is a boon or bane” would soon become obsolete.
The thought of digital technology becoming a bane would soon be away from our mind in light of this pandemic, as the digital technology usage becomes inevitable and unavoidable. If a miniscule portion of the economy is being saved right now, we have to extend our gratitude to the technology that has provided platform to address some of supply-chain issues in the economy.
Modi’s push towards digitization comes in handy
When our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi urged the population to embrace digitization, only a few realized its importance and a section of our friends kept criticizing the move unable to take his words of wisdom in letter and spirit. Demonetization and GST were seen as moves of failure.
However, given the fear that COVID-19 might even spread through currency notes, India’s move towards digitization has turned out to be a visionary move. Now, there is a sudden surge towards usage of Google Pay and PayTm. The other money transfer portals like Phonepay and Freecharge have seen a rapid increase and a paradigm shift in their businesses. From super markets to grocery stores and tea stalls, everybody has put a QR code right outside their businesses. Shopkeepers are now happy if someone makes a digital payment. Those who have remained technologically challenged are now showing their involvement and wanting to get accustomed.
However, a robust identification system, widespread and consistent internet access, and trustworthy ways to get money into digital formats would prove to be important for digital payments to thrive. Digital payments may definitely be a back bone and a success story behind India’s vibrant digital economy. COVID-19 would go in history as the factor that pushed people towards use of digital technology.
The COVID-19 crisis has resulted in an immense need for technological support. This in addition might pave way for an effective governmental policy in which the government actively builds partnerships with private technology companies, the digital entrepreneurs of the day, and other international organizations to make use to existing technologies to meet the needs of people and soften the impact of crisis in their lives.
What We Can Learn From China
In China, BeiDou, the country’s own GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) constellation, helped track patients and affected places, thus containing the virus, apart from analyzing the pattern of the outbreak. BeiDoU is a satellite-based radio navigation system developed by the China Space Science and Technology Group. With the help of reliable data and precise mapping and imagery, China could build thousands of new makeshift hospitals across the country. Using drones technology, BeiDoU has enabled the use of drones for monitoring crowded public places. Usage of robots to perform thermal monitoring and performing diagnosis in hospitals are also being built at a rapid pace by the Chinese.
Wuchang Hospital in China and Cloud Minds, a manufacturer of Cloud-based robotics systems, are working in collaboration for at making the hospital facility completely smart and digital. The devices in the hospital services are being carried out robots. The initial screening of the patients is done by 5G-enabled thermometers that send instant updates. Also, there are rings and bracelets that are connected to the Cloud Minds platform so that it can monitor all changes in the body.
India too saw such innovations come through individual altruistic efforts. It was heartening to see young talents in our country coming up with innovations to limit contact spreading. States like Tamil Nadu have commissioned digital robots that limit the exposure of doctors and nurses to COVID-19 patients. However, these are efforts of individuals and organization helping the government in its fight against the pandemic. Government of India should build on its PPP (Public Private Partnership) model that provides a platform to nurture such talents and potential.
For now, India can take a leaf out of the Chinese’s book, by adopting technologies that the Chinese have managed to come up with. While apps like Arogya Setu is definitely helping in identifying and tracing the spread, keeping in check the containment zones and creating awareness among the citizens, its usage is restricted to those who have smart phones. We need to bridge the digital divide as technology plays a pivotal role in the present situation. Pragmatic use of satellite navigation system would allow India to overcome its digital divide barrier. Putting to use such a technology will definitely be a path breaking achievement for India.
Going forward, the underlying theme of the technological transformation in post-COVID world will revolve around creating business models that will help us survive in a society with ‘less contact’, a concept that will be etched in the collective memory of our society and would see prominence in the years to come. The continuous use of technology and getting accustomed to its usage would ensure that in the event of another health pandemic, the “business-as-usual” will become a norm and will never remain disturbed. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning will help us move into a “less contact” world.