{"id":19973,"date":"2020-02-25T06:30:53","date_gmt":"2020-02-25T13:30:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web-strategist.com\/blog\/?p=19973"},"modified":"2023-06-07T17:21:37","modified_gmt":"2023-06-08T00:21:37","slug":"impacts-of-corona-virus-and-the-tech-sector","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web-strategist.com\/blog\/2020\/02\/25\/impacts-of-corona-virus-and-the-tech-sector\/","title":{"rendered":"Effects of Coronavirus on the Tech Sector"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Drones are being mounted with thermal cameras to identify infected citizens, and used for crowd monitoring.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

by Jeremiah Owyang, Tech Analyst

If you’re like me, you’re carefully watching the news of how COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus has caused wide-reaching effects on society, economics, and political relationships. This post will focus on the impacts and responses to and from the technology<\/em> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AI could fight the current and future viruses<\/strong>. A global network of AI backed by scientists could harness incredible amounts of data from infected people.This could work in a networked way to predict, solve, and eradicate viruses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Electronics production slows.<\/strong> Multiple electronic companies from consumer to medical equipment<\/a> have announced that production will slow. Some expect that prices for remaining inventory will increase as demand surges over limited supply. As a result, tech stocks diminished<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tech conferences cancel or dwindle.<\/strong> Dozens of technology conferences have canceled and major sponsors are pulling employees out of events across the globe. HR departments at tech companies are grounding workers from travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online communication tools see a rise. <\/strong>Online collaboration tools and real-time video technologies will see a boom in demand and stock price<\/a>. While virtual reality could see a boom, the reduction in the production of headsets could offset demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Internet used for rapid communication<\/strong>. Governments are using websites to communicate the latest facts and news media is publishing at a rapid pace. This informative website tallies the infections in Hong Kong<\/a>. Chinese scientists released<\/a> the Virus DNA, enabling a global network of scientists to start research for cures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Misinformation spreads. <\/strong>A plethora of hoaxes, fake emails that resulted in riots<\/a>, false cures<\/a>, and other fear-based information has spread using online channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Information withheld or suppressed.<\/strong> There are wide-spread reports that multiple<\/a> governments<\/a> are suppressing information about the damage of the virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biometric technology used for virus detection<\/strong>. I’ve experienced multiple heat detection sensors at airports. Other forms include AI for network modeling to identify patient zero<\/a>, wearable sensors and facial recognition<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robots used to serve infected patients. <\/strong>Interesting videos have surfaced of robots delivering<\/a> food and medicines to patients in Wuhan, to limit human contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technology used for crowd management, surveillance<\/strong>. Broader than simply biometrics, technology is being used to enforce quarantine or to track potential individuals that may have the virus using drones<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technology used for preparation<\/strong>. Scared populations are preparing, hoarding, and purchasing goods; many of which are seeing price increases at multiples of normal pricing for N95 masks<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technologies enable shelter in place:<\/strong> Digital entertainment, gaming, digital-fitness, telecommunications, on-demand delivery of goods and food<\/a> see a rise. Quarantined citizens in Wuhan have kept themselves entertained<\/a> in various ways, often using online mediums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opportunities in Future Technologies<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n