Lady Gaga is calling on tech developers to come together and build a solution to shut down COVID-19.
The “Stupid Love” singer recorded a minute-long video message for the IBM Developer Twitter account on Tuesday (April 7) in partnership with a major United Nations Human Rights initiative, Call for Code, to ask innovators to step up.
“To all of the developers, problem solvers, innovators: We need you right now during COVID-19 more than ever,” she said. “To use technology and data to change the world, before the world changes us — even though it already has. Now is the time to fight back against this coronavirus, to use open technology to solve problems at scale and to save lives… I’m asking you to answer the call, build a solution that fights back, that saves lives.”
After directing developers to ibm.biz/callforcode to join the initiative, Gaga concluded: “I may have the voice, but you’re the tech rock stars.”
Gaga’s appeal is part of the 2020 IBM Call for Code Global Challenge, which IBM has already put $25 million behind developing top solutions, The initiative is supported by Global Partner UN Human Rights and affiliate the Linux Foundation.
Everyone involved in the Call for Code challenge will be acting fast, too: The first three COVID-19 solutions will be selected by May 5, with deployment beginning May 15, according to a press release.
Prior to her Call for Code appeal, Lady Gaga made the late night talk show rounds on Monday (April 6) to promote another coronavirus effort: the Global Citizen/World Health Organization “One World: Together at Home” concert. Gaga (who helped curate the event) is one of several superstars who will be part of the April 18 show, which will also include appearances from Lizzo, Sir Paul McCartney, Elton John, J Balvin, Kacey Musgraves and many more.
Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert will serve as hosts for the special, which will air on each of their respective networks, NBC, ABC and CBS, on April 18 from 8-10 p.m. ET.
Ahead of the special show, check out Gaga’s call-to-action to tech developers below.
