It can be hard to sort through all of the headlines these days about COVID-19. As the full impact of it continues to unfold, we want to focus on some ways that the Tech industry is making positive strides. Here are some ways different companies have been trying to help.
They used their data from location tracking and started compiling mobility reports to show if we are actually social distancing. For some at home entertainment Google’s game streaming service Stadia is now free for anyone with a Gmail account for 2 months.
Amazon
Has announced a program to encourage developers to find solutions to a variety of problems related to COVID-19. They have also committed $20 million to fund a diagnostic development unit to develop a faster and more affordable test for the virus and hired 100,000 new workers in the U.S.
IBM
In collaboration with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the U.S Department of Energy IBM is helping launch the COVID-19 High Performance Computing Consortium, which will use an unprecedented amount of computing power to help researchers everywhere better understand COVID-19, it’s treatments and potential cures.
Diligent Robotics
Is working to make robots that will be used as helper droids for nurses that can run errands for them around the hospital.
The Energy Department
Researchers are using IBM’s supercomputer to identify drug compounds to disable the coronavirus. They also made their clinical health trial software available free for federal agencies.
Microsoft
The CDC is using the Azure-run healthcare chatbot to power a COVID-19 assessment bot than can quickly assess symptoms and suggest next steps.
Formlabs
Sells 3D printers but now it is dedicating 250 printers in their Ohio factory to make up to 100,000 nasal swabs for Covid-19 tests every day.
The Covid-19 Open Research Dataset
Uses AI to compile over 24,000 research papers and peer-reviewed journals about COVID-19 in one database.
Procore
Is giving customers free access to its software for projects being built for COVID-19 related emergency relief products.
Voxel51
Is using live, pre-existing cameras to track how well preventative measures are being followed with AI.
Postman
Crafted a website that relies on crowdsourced information to locate coronavirus testing in the U.S.
How Can You Help
Donate Computing Power – Downloading Folding@home and help run simulations, the calculations are enormous and every little bit helps.
These are just a few examples of the ways the tech industry is trying to combat COVID-19. Thank you to all of the essential workers in every industry who are working hard to keep us safe.
