COVID-19 highlights technology as our first line of defense

As we wrap our heads around the new normal of sheltering in place and trying to care for those in our communities that are truly devastated by COVID-19, the technologies that connect us – from the internet to wireless to GPS – are now the first line of contact and defense for nearly everything we do. Information and communications technologies have created a remarkable ability to connect, inform, work remotely and innovate. While these capabilities benefit the world in a wide range of ways, their benefits are not distributed equally. For those with little or no access to the internet, working at home (or schooling at home) is much harder or impossible. Building the connected world that we all rely on requires vision, tenacity, humility and unwavering optimism.

[Vinton Cerf, Marconi Society chair, is noted for technical contributions and leadership in creating and evolving the internet.]

As the internet becomes our economic, educational and social window to the world, six innovators that built this critical technology give their thoughts on our post-pandemic future.  These visionaries are part of the Marconi Society, a foundation that inspires and connects those creating new technology for a digitally inclusive world. We'll provide summaries of their perspectives all week.