We propose to develop an expert system that
will provide general information on HIV and AIDS to the
public of Botswana. This project is motivated by the
Microsoft sponsored project conducted at the
Department of Computer Science named IHISM for
which the authors are members. IHISM aims to
contribute to the digital divide by developing an HIV and
AIDS public information portal accessible through
mobile phones. The case study is based on Botswana, one
of the leading countries hard hit by the HIV and AIDS
pandemic where the government is working hard to
facilitate the provision of education and raising
awareness concerning the pandemic. Whilst IHISM is
concentrating on the digital divide and mainly concerned
with semiliterate people in rural settlements this
alternative is for those who have access to the internet
and hence can use the system wherever they are. The
proposed system will act as an online ‘expert’ and is
aiming at supporting the initiative of providing accurate
information to the general public.