Regulation and Standardization of Digital Technologies Used in Facilitating the Mitigation of COVID-19 Contagion

Abstract

The paper discusses practical applications of digital technologies (e.g. Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Big Data Analytics, Mobile Technologies etc.) on how COVID-19 pandemic and other contagion curve can be flattened. The background of the paper deals with issues around the novel COVID-19, the way different countries responded to it generally but with a focus on the application of digital technologies and its effects. The objective of the paper is to show how important digital technologies are being used to help flatten the curve of COVID-19 pandemic. More so, analysis of the digital technologies was also carried out. The methodology was hinged on facts analysis and observations based on what needs to be improved while leveraging on digital infrastructures to flatten the COVID-19 infection rate curve. Under the methodology, studies were conducted on randomly sampled countries which were analyzed and specific digital technologies were identified for regulations and standardization. Recommendations were made based on studies conducted in countries like South Korea, Taiwan etc. In conclusion, ICT related policies were identified and specific innovative digital technologies were identified for regulatory interventions and future standardization works. The candidate digital technologies identified are proposed for technical studies by relevant standards bodies e.g. International Telecommunications Union-Standardizations (ITU-T) is expected to create relevant Study Question based on the identified digital technologies and carry out studies leading to the standardization of the digital technologies. This will accelerate the flattening future contagion infection rate curve.