Using Times of Crisis

In addition to my day-to-day business at UIB working with telcos, utilities, and manufacturers, our sales partners have been busy developing multiple COVID-19 use cases, solutions, and services for hospitals, healthcare providers, and government authorities.

This includes AI-powered and automated (or semi-automated) healthcare communications (e.g., for patients, family members, caregivers, doctors, nurses, hospital staff, cleaning crews, and the general public), as well innovative uses of WhatsApp and other messaging platform chat groups for SMEs and local communities in times of isolation and quarantine — such as matching peoples’ needs with locally available products and services — or sometimes just to connect them to a helping hand while they’re social distancing.

Never let a crisis go to waste.

Amid this terrible crisis we’re all facing, my team and I observed that there is a newfound need for what UIB’s technology has always had to offer. It is now at the top of everyone’s mind just how fragile and vulnerable we as humans can be — e.g., when some of us can’t work or perform as our usual selves, be it due to physical or mental health issues, or, quite simply, due to a change of environment such as working from home.

UIB’s Unified Intelligent Brain (“UIB”) steps in where humans can’t when they (or a company or related business process) need to be represented in the form of a chatbot, virtual assistant, digital human, smart speaker, or even a robot.

In fact, it is only during this trying time that I realized the enormous immediate strategic and future potential value of my company, which is surprising, given the fact that founders never stop thinking about their creations.

Founder or not, and depending on your individual circumstances, of course, it can be very insightful to take some time out while being locked into your corner (home) office. Simply use the time you've gained from your daily commute — no streaming, podcasts, or conversations. Even if only in the middle of the night, there will be times when it’s dead quiet and you find yourself alone. In those moments, just give life a chance to tell you a story about something you thought you knew, but apparently, you didn't.

Stop thinking, start creating.

What truly inspires, motivates, and gives me hope, is how humanity as a whole can rely on its resourcefulness and ingenuity during this time. I’m confident that among the darkness, fear, and mental stress which surrounds us, many new innovations will be born, new friendships will be forged, and old, long-forgotten relationships revived, all of which will lead to a more holistic and sustainable future.

This is one of the best times in human history and in our lives, to seek forgiveness, to remember each other, and to reconnect and rebuild what has long been forgotten. I, for one, will simply start with looking at the stack of business cards I've acquired over the years. There are thousands of people I've met, but for one reason or the other, we’ve not met again. What a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go back and revisit our initial encounters, cheer each other up, and give each other hope — after all, most of us now have something in common which we clearly didn’t when we initially met.

Stay safe. Stay sane. Stay home. And for those who have my business card, do call me at any time. For everyone else, let’s use this time of crisis as an opportunity to get to know each other. All of us have loved ones who, even if not directly impacted, are living in fear. ??? ??? ?????? (this too shall pass), and then ultimately:

A rising tide lifts all boats.

水涨船高