ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic was accompanied by an infodemic, which has now become a global concern. Despite the relatively timely and extensive guidelines regarding COVID-19 prevention and treatment, effective and standardized solutions for managing this infodemic are still lacking. In light of the ubiquity of social media in China, various algorithms have been applied to new media platforms to help combat COVID-19, particularly, misinformation and disinformation. Inspired by the model of ‘blocking the spread of the virus, treating the infected population, and improving immunity’ for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study examines three dominant forms of algorithms—collaborative filtering recommendation, content-based recommendation, and knowledge-based recommendation—and proposes a theoretical model called Block, Push, and Intervene (BPI). This model calls for the timely blocking of misinformation and disinformation, precisely delivering authentic information to people affected by the infodemic and intervening in some potential issues in advance. Based on the BPI framework, we conducted semi-structured interviews with relevant staffs in charge of Bytedance, Tencent, Sina Weibo, Baidu, and The National Internet Information Office's Center for Reporting Illegal and Adverse Information, to summarize the patterns of algorithms used against the infodemic. Additionally, an online panel survey is used to analyze public perceptions of the severity of the infodemic on each platform. By evaluating the cross-validated results of the survey sample and semi-structured interviews on the role of algorithms against infodemic, this study contributes both to the understanding of the working details and practices surrounding information epidemics in the context of China, as well as to the systematic research on the unique use of information technology in the midst of public health crises. Copyright © 2022 Wang and Xu.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Multiple measures introduced early to restrict COVID-19 have dramatically impacted the teaching of medical and pharmacy students, exacerbated by the lack of infrastructure and experience with e-learning at the start of the pandemic. In addition, the costs and reliability of the Internet across Africa pose challenges alongside undertaking clinical teaching and practical programmes. Consequently, there is a need to understand the many challenges and how these were addressed, given increasingly complex patients, to provide future direction. METHOD: An exploratory study was conducted among senior-level medical and pharmacy educators across Africa, addressing four key questions, including the challenges resulting from the pandemic and how these were dealt with. RESULTS: Staff and student members faced multiple challenges initially, including adapting to online learning. In addition, concerns with the lack of equipment (especially among disadvantaged students), the costs of Internet bundles, and how to conduct practicals and clinical teaching. Multiple activities were undertaken to address these challenges. These included training sessions, developing innovative approaches to teaching, and seeking ways to reduce Internet costs. Robust approaches to practicals, clinical teaching, and assessments have been developed. CONCLUSIONS: Appreciable difficulties to teaching arising from the pandemic are being addressed across Africa. Research is ongoing to improve education and assessments.
ABSTRACT
Although the COVID-19 crisis has hit the Chinese economy hard, China's Internet companies have benefited from the quarantine. However, the long-term consequences of the 2020 crisis for the development of the innovative potential of Chinese Internet corporations, primarily the largest platforms such as Alibaba, Baidu, Tencent, and JD.com as integrators of the Chinese Internet economy, are still unclear. This article provides a general overview of changes in the consumption of services of large platforms, including moderate growth in demand, strengthening of the segment of high-tech services (cloud solutions for business, digital healthcare, etc.), digitalization of small and medium enterprises, and expansion of the user audience. The innovative and technological initiatives of the platforms are analyzed. Within the framework of the announced state plans, large platforms, in partnership with regional authorities, business, and universities, intend to develop an advanced digital infrastructure (5G, data centers, etc.) and innovation infrastructure (digital clusters, technology parks, and research centers). Despite the lack of new breakthrough initiatives, the innovation capacity of the platforms is expected to strengthen in the long term. Presumably, the key role will be played by qualitative changes in the markets owing to the diffusion of digital technologies and competences, which will lead to an increase in demand for Internet innovations. The mechanisms of transforming market changes into a resource for innovative development of the platforms are associated with the expansion of market data, the emergence of a complex system of services, and unique innovative ecosystems of the platforms, making it possible to organize and coordinate the innovative activities of various entities, as well as to coopt promising start-ups able to create breakthrough innovations during the crisis.