How will we handle the next pandemic?

Sometime in the future, facial recognition systems across airports and other public places will report a sudden spike in people suddenly sneezing or coughing. Based on that an Artificial Intelligence system will personally alert every such mobile user and also warn the healthcare industry. Based on the change in patient symptoms across the world, governments will be alerted that a global pandemic is on the way. AI will check the geographical densities of cases and recommend a lockdown timetable for each and every part of the world. Drones and driverless cars will press into action to ensure essential services and supplies. The global network of IoT (Internet of Things) devices will give real-time information on the status of goods, supplies and movement of humans. AI will track everything at a micro and macro level modifying its recommendations repeatedly. When the curve has been flattened, an AI timetable will bring the world back to normal.

Far-fetched? Science fiction? Utopia? Dystopia? It’s difficult to tell, but both lockdowns and contact tracing have already become a part of our vocabulary. Most tech already exist to make the above a reality. It always needs a trigger and once any tech gets its foot in the door, it usually enters to take over the house. 9/11 made the surveillance state a reality. The COVID-19 crisis will lead to something which will be only clear in the years to come. For example if someone came out with a swanky transparent hygienic Bluetooth mask, that might as well become compulsory at airports, train-bus stations and large gatherings.

After the financial crisis of 2007-08, the following were launched in 2009-10: WhatsApp, Instagram, Uber, Ola, Paytm, Xiaomi, Vivo, Venmo, Slack, Square, Pinterest, WeWork, Snapdeal, GoFundMe etc. The current crisis may also see a spurt of startups getting into healthcare, contact tracing, government tracking and AI. World War II led to advances in cryptography, computing, CDMA, rocketry (which led to NASA, satellites, GPS, satellite TV etc), jet planes, nuclear energy… Every global tragedy leads to some sort of technological acceleration. One can only guess as to what companies and tech will start coming out from 2021-22 onward. The stock market has always returned stronger after every recession and it won’t be different this time.

That’s at the global level. When you break it down, some countries will win, others will lose. Some industries will flourish, others won’t. Some technologies will rule, others die out. New industries and tech will be created from scratch. We have already entered a new era. Now let’s watch it pan out!