Think COVID Will Usher in a Digital Future? Think Again.
For some industries, coronavirus-induced changes are here to stay. For most, though, an in-person connection is too central to allow full digital transformation.
This story was originally published on Builtin.com.
The lockdown has lifted in many parts of the world, but the coronavirus crisis is far from over. Many workers, including a lot of tech employees, are still telecommuting. Twitter, for example, is allowing its staff to continue working from home if they prefer to. Zoom looks as if it might keep on booming for quite a while. Delivery services also show no signs of slowing any time soon.
A lot has been written about how these times are propelling us into a tech-driven future. The crisis could provide a host of opportunities for new startups. Colleges, offices, and gyms might stay empty forever as people work, study, and exercise at home. People might never go to a doctor’s office again because they prefer visiting them virtually. Physical cash could fully become a thing of the past. Although it seems plausible that some of these changes will happen, the big leap into a completely digital society remains questionable.
