The COVID-19 pandemic has added decibels to the voices that are pro-digitization and innovation across industries and governments. In the last couple of months, we have seen how digital technologies can target problems emerging from COVID-19. We are witnessing many countries using the direct benefit transfer methods to provide quick relief. India's JAM infrastructure that includes Jan Dhan accounts, biometric identity system Aadhaar, and mobile penetration, helped 320 million people in India receive direct benefits for quick relief while reducing the virus spread risk associated with physical cash and cheques. Further, public health organizations worldwide are using predictive modeling to prepare for the next wave of outbreak.
ADB's innovation challenge platform has launched a series of challenges to create innovative digital solutions to solve some unique challenges under its #DigitalAgainstCOVID-19 initiative under the 'economic development' theme. |
