A Viral Warning for Change. The Wuhan Coronavirus Versus the Red Cross: Better Solutions Via Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Among the many issues being raised in the course of the recent Wuhan coronavirus outbreak is the ability of charities to respond to crises and to fulfil their fiduciary and moral duty to apply donations effectively and for the purposes intended. This article notes the problems encountered by charities, in China and elsewhere, and argues that the present crisis should be seen as a call to arms for the tech industry, which has the relevant know-how and resources to radically change the landscape of crisis response and the management of donations through the implementation of blockchain and artificial intelligence tools that are already in common commercial use. Fundamental changes are needed to the structure and method of how such crises are handled. The time for global technologists to develop, on a collaborative basis, borderless solutions to issues of common humanitarian concern is now.