Smart technologies for fighting pandemics: The techno- and human- driven approaches in controlling the virus transmission

How do governments in China and Western democracies differ in their technological response to control the transmission of the pandemic? Based on an analysis of academic papers, World Health Organization reports and newspapers, this research compares two opposing approaches, whereas the Chinese cities and government have adopted a techno-driven approach, Western governments have adopted a human-driven approach to control the transmission of Covid-19. The findings highlight that although the techno driven approach may be more productive to identify, isolate and quarantine infected individuals, it also results in the suppression and censoring the citizen views. It is further emphasized that human interaction with the technology is mediated by the political and institutional context in which the technologies are implemented. This paper contributes to literature by understanding the human-technology relationship, and offers five practical observations for controlling virus transmissions during pandemics. •Discusses the use of digital technologies in controlling the transmission of COVID-19.•Shows the difference in technological response between China and Western countries.•Argues that the use of technologies are constrained by the political and institutional context.•Discusses how human intervention mediates the potential of technologies.