10 technology trends to watch in the COVID-19 pandemic

Apr 27, 2020

People wearing face masks watch delivery robots from the Colombian company Rappi traveling down a street, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Medellin, Colombia April 17, 2020. REUTERS/David Estrada - RC2L6G94JJE5

The coronavirus demonstrates the importance of and the challenges associated with tech like digital payments, telehealth and robotics. Image: REUTERS/David Estrada

Yan Xiao

Project Lead, Digital Trade, World Economic Forum

Ziyang Fan

Head of Digital Trade, World Economic Forum LLC

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Rappi delivery woman wearing a face mask walks in front of a delivery robot from the Colombian company Rappi amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Medellin, Colombia April 17, 2020. REUTERS/David Estrada - RC2L6G975RNZ

Robots can deliver food and goods without any human contact. Image: REUTERS/David Estrada

A sign asking customers to only use contactless payment methods is seen in a pub in Liverpool, Britain March 17, 2020. REUTERS/Phil Noble - RC2QLF92NYGX

Contactless digital payments can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep business flowing. Image: REUTERS/Phil Noble

Veda Hrudya Nadendla, a marketing and branding specialist, works from her home after her office was closed due to a 21-day nationwide lockdown to slow the spreading of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in New Delhi, India, April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi - RC221G9EFVYY

Will COVID-19 make working from home the norm? Image: REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

What's your biggest struggle with working remotely?

Employees rank collaboration and communication, loneliness and not being able to unplug their top struggles when working from home. Image: Buffer State of Remote Report 2020

Joy Malone's daughter speaks to her kindergarten classmates on a Zoom call for the first time since schools were closed due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in New Rochelle, New York, U.S., April 15, 2020. Picture taken April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Joy Malone - RC217G95J4A0

Even kindergarteners are learning from home – but will this trend create wider divides and increased pressure on parents? Image: REUTERS/Joy Malone

Telehealth utilization has grown during the COVID-19 pandemic. Image: eClinicalWorks’ healow

Dance instructor Anneliese Suda teaches a pre-teen junior company ballet class through Zoom at Sierra Madre Dance Center, which is closed during the global outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Sierra Madre, California, U.S., April 1, 2020. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni - RC22WF91F4JW

Even dance instructors are taking their lessons online during the pandemic. Image: REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

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A view shows snorkel masks to be converted into respirators, using 3D printing technology, to reinforce hospitals and help patients suffering from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Algiers, Algeria April 15, 2020. Picture taken April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Ramzi Boudina - RC2O7G9PY6IG

Snorkels were converted into respirators thanks to 3D printing technology. Image: REUTERS/Ramzi Boudina

A robot helping medical teams treat patients suffering from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is pictured at a patient's room, in the Circolo hospital, in Varese, Italy April 1, 2020. REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo - RC2OVF92BNGT

A robot helps doctors treat COVID-19 patients in hard-hit Italy. Image: REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo

Pedestrians walk past an advertisement promoting the 5G data network at a mobile phone store in London, Britain, January 28, 2020. REUTERS/Toby Melville - RC26PE9MIDQS

COVID-19 shows that as the 5G network expands globally, we need to ensure inclusive access. Image: REUTERS/Toby Melville

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