[ENG VER] These are the Technology Trends That Developed During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Assalamu‘alaikum wr. wb.

Hi everybody! Even though the COVID-19 Pandemic is now over, there are also several Technology Trends that are highly developing both during the Pandemic and After the COVID-19 Pandemic. So, what are the Post-Pandemic COVID-19 Technology Trends? The following is the explanation.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, there was an acceleration and increase in the use of technology in various sectors to overcome the challenges faced. Some of the most evolving technology trends during the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Telemedicine and Digital Health

Telemedicine and Digital Health Applications have experienced rapid growth during the pandemic. Remote medical consultation services enable patients to communicate with doctors through video conferences, reducing the risk of virus transmission. Additionally, health apps are used for contact tracing and notifying potential COVID-19 exposure.

In Indonesia, Examples of Telemedicine Platforms include Halodoc, Hello Sehat, Good Doctor, AloDokter, KlikDokter, and SehatQ.

2. E-Commerce and Online Shipping

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a rapid increase in online shopping and product delivery. Many people have shifted to online shopping for daily necessities and to avoid the risk of transmission in crowded places.

Moreover, with the implementation of social restrictions and lockdowns, people are required to shop online and rely on online delivery. Popular apps during and after the pandemic include Gojek, Grab, Tokopedia, Shopee, etc.

3. Remote Work and Video Conferencing Platforms

Many companies and organizations adopted remote work models during the pandemic. Collaboration technologies such as video conferencing apps, collaboration platforms, and project management tools allowed teams to stay connected and productive from different locations.

Furthermore, Video Conferencing Platforms experienced rapid growth. During the pandemic, we often used Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and others for work, learning, and webinars. Project management platforms also grew during the pandemic.

Although the Pandemic has ended, many still use video conferencing platforms like Zoom or Google Meet.

4. Distance Learning and Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Schools and universities worldwide switched to distance learning to continue the educational process during the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of online learning platforms and collaboration tools helped students, teachers, and instructors interact and share course materials.

Popular LMS Platforms during the pandemic included Google Classroom, Schoology, Edmodo, and campus-specific or training-specific LMS platforms. Even though the pandemic has ended, some schools or universities continue to use LMS platforms to deliver course materials, assignments, and exams.

5. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

Two years ago, there was a booming Metaverse technology. Perhaps it was because it was still in the midst of the pandemic, and people wanted to meet virtually in a realistic way. However, since the emergence of AI and the easing of the pandemic, Metaverse technology has started to become obsolete.

AR and VR technologies were used in various sectors during the pandemic. In the medical field, they aided in medical training and procedure simulations. In the entertainment sector, they provided virtual experiences for events and shows restricted by social distancing.

6. Blockchain Technology

Early in 2022, NFT technology, which is one of the Blockchain technologies, was also popular. Due to the pandemic, many people wanted to make a lot of money, and they sold images in the form of NFTs at exorbitant prices.

The COVID-19 crisis has exposed the lack of connectivity and data exchange in the global supply chain. Future resilience will depend on building transparent, operable, and interconnected networks. If there is still doubt about the value of blockchain platforms to enhance business transparency that relies on seamless integration of different networks.

7. Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

When the pandemic subsided, AI technology actually developed rapidly, especially with the introduction of ChatGPT as an AI chatbot that makes it easy to ask questions. It also gave birth to several other AI tools to facilitate activities.

Furthermore, IoT technology was popular, especially in the industrial automation sector, during the pandemic. We could also experiment and create IoT devices related to COVID-19, such as temperature detectors, automatic hand sanitizer dispensers, etc.

IoT and AI technologies have been used to monitor and manage the availability of medical equipment, optimize the supply chain, and assist in COVID-19-related data analysis to aid decision-making.

Perhaps, if AI Chatbots like ChatGPT had been available in 2021 or 2020, many students would have used them, especially during exams. This is because schools and universities were still closed at that time, and learning was done online.

8. Robotics and Drone

Similar to the previous point, there are now many robots that use AI technology for easier interactions. Robotics is also related to Industrial Automation.

The use of robots in the healthcare and caregiving sectors increased during the pandemic. Robots were used for cleaning and sterilizing public areas, assisting patients in hospitals, and providing assistance in COVID-19 response efforts.

9. Streaming Services and Digital Entertainment

Video streaming services, online gaming platforms, and digital entertainment, as a whole, experienced rapid growth as many people sought entertainment at home during the pandemic.

An Example of a Trending Game during the Pandemic was Among Us. Then, the most Popular Video Streaming Platforms were Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ (Hotstar), Viu, etc.

10. 5G Networks and Digital Infrastructure

Indeed, the use of 5G technology is still limited at the moment. However, it is gradually developing over time. It is possible that 5G network technology will become Popular and widely used from 2025 onwards.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of fast and reliable internet connectivity. Demand for 5G technology and stronger digital infrastructure is increasing to support the needs of an increasingly connected work and life.

11. Cloud Computing and Edge Computing

Fortunately, cloud companies managed to pass the pandemic stress test caused by sudden workload spikes and waves of inexperienced new users. Microsoft reported a 775% surge in demand for cloud services due to COVID-19.

In the post-Covid world, cloud technology is likely to experience a surge in implementation across all kinds of applications. As the virus spread, people were forced to work from home, and online learning models were adopted, driving demand for cloud-based video conferencing and teaching. Various cloud service vendors have been actively enhancing their capabilities and providing resources to meet this demand.

Organizations have recognized the limitations of cloud computing in some situations as the volume of data they handle continues to grow. Edge computing is intended to address some of these issues by avoiding the latency caused by cloud computing and allowing data to be sent directly to data centers for processing. It can be "on the edge," so to speak, closer to the point where computing is needed.

12. Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is one of the vital technologies for organizations, especially those whose business processes are data-driven. More attention has been given to privacy and data protection since the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was signed and, more recently, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

During the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown, when thousands of people were forced to work remotely, personal data volumes could become highly vulnerable or at least inadequately protected. These emerging challenges can provide another incentive for the adoption of cybersecurity practices.

Cybercriminals capitalized on the fear factor of this virus to disseminate their own malware; there have been many such examples recently, including fake COVID-19 domains, phishing emails promising virus protection kits, and even information about the canceled Summer Olympics. Furthermore, there has been an increase in ransomware attacks on healthcare institutions and even hacking of research centers to steal information about potential COVID-19 vaccines.

To see this Article in Indonesian, can be see in here.

This is the information presented above, hopefully it will be useful for all of us.

Thank You 😀😊😘👌👍 :)

Wassalamu‘alaikum wr. wb.