Technology could hurt the fight against Coronavirus if we are not careful. There are four questions we should ask ourselves. Are you listening to experts and vulnerable communities? Can you join existing efforts? Can your technology do what you say it’s going to do? How does your technology shift power?
The first question, “Are you listening to experts and vulnerable communities,” is about understanding the social context, about knowing what is helpful or harmful. You have to find credible or reliable sources. The second question, “Can you join existing efforts?”, is about searching for a team that can answer all three of these questions. You also have to find a project that involves experts, community involvement, and with ethical frameworks in place.
The third question is “Can your technology do what you say it’s going to do?” This is about if your solution improves the real world, or if it only works in some environments. You have to complete and test your work in a certain amount of time, and you will also need the resources required to finish your project, or you won’t be able to finish it. The last question is “How does your technology shift power?” You have to consider who your projects shifts power to and from. You have to think about who will have access to your invention and if it helps vulnerable communities and those who are most in need.