EUP1501 Assignment 4 (COMPLETE
GUIDELINE) Semester 1 2025 ) - DUE 15 May
2025 Course
Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development
Solutions (EUP1501)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
Ethics of Information and Communication Technologies
EUP1501 Assignment 4 (COMPLETE GUIDELINE) Semester 1 2025 (825074) -
DUE 15 May 2025; 100% TRUSTED Complete, trusted
Recent technology developments are transforming how governments deliver
public services. This assessment will require you to analyze how a specific
government department or public utility is leveraging emerging technologies
to enhance service delivery and public sector efficiency. other than SARS
Instructions (Read them carefully, and make sure you fully answer the
questions): In not more than 800 words (excluding references), discuss how
government is integrating advanced technologies such as Artificial
Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Cloud Computing, Big Data, and Internet of
Things (IoT) to improve service delivery. Your discussion should address the
following: Introduction (5 Marks) • Choose a specific government department
or public utility that has adopted emerging technology. • Provide background
information on the department and its role in governance and public. Body
(23 Marks) Sub-section 1: Identify and Describe the Emerging Technology (6
Marks) • Identify one major technology (e.g., AI-powered chatbots,
blockchain for digital identity, IoT for smart cities, cloud-based e-
governance). • Provide a brief description of how this technology functions.
Title: Enhancing Public Health Through AI: A Case Study of the South African
Department of Health
Introduction (5 Marks)
The South African Department of Health (DoH) is a national government department
responsible for the formulation and implementation of health policy and ensuring access to
quality healthcare services for all South Africans. Operating under the vision of “a long and
healthy life for all South Africans,” the department manages a complex public healthcare system
,that serves over 80% of the population. In recent years, faced with growing demands, limited
resources, and infrastructure challenges, the DoH has turned to emerging technologies to
improve service delivery, enhance decision-making, and expand reach, particularly in under-
resourced communities.
One key initiative includes the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to modernize the public
healthcare system and drive innovation in areas such as maternal health, epidemiology, and
patient communication. Through platforms like MomConnect, the department integrates AI-
powered technologies to engage with millions of patients in real-time, improving both preventive
care and service responsiveness.
Body (23 Marks)
Sub-section 1: Identify and Describe the Emerging Technology (6 Marks)
The main emerging technology adopted by the Department of Health is Artificial Intelligence
(AI), particularly in the form of AI-powered mobile health platforms and data analytics tools.
AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines programmed to think, learn, and
make decisions. It involves technologies such as natural language processing (NLP), machine
learning (ML), and predictive analytics.
In the context of the DoH, AI is used primarily in the MomConnect program — a mobile-based
messaging service launched in 2014 and enhanced in later years with AI-driven chatbots and
analytics. AI enables the platform to provide automated, customized health information to
pregnant and new mothers, answer health queries via chatbots in multiple languages, and flag
high-risk users for follow-up by human health workers. The technology functions by analyzing
patterns in user responses, automatically delivering relevant content, and escalating cases based
on pre-programmed risk profiles.
Sub-section 2: Application of the Technology in Service Delivery (6 Marks)
MomConnect exemplifies how AI enhances service delivery. The platform sends registered users
(over 2 million mothers to date) weekly messages tailored to the stage of pregnancy or age of the
child. These messages include reminders for antenatal visits, tips for newborn care, and warnings
about danger signs during pregnancy.
The AI-powered Helpdesk functions as a 24/7 chatbot that can answer common health
questions and triage more complex queries to health professionals. This improves access to
health advice in rural and remote areas where healthcare professionals are scarce.
, Furthermore, AI supports data-driven decision-making within the Department of Health by
analyzing aggregate data from mobile interactions to monitor maternal health trends, identify
gaps in service delivery, and improve policy responsiveness.
Sub-section 3: Outcomes and Benefits (6 Marks)
The integration of AI into the DoH’s service delivery has led to several notable benefits:
Improved Access and Equity: AI allows women in remote or underserved areas to
access health information at no cost and in multiple local languages, improving equity in
healthcare access.
Enhanced Efficiency: AI-driven automation reduces the administrative burden on
healthcare workers, allowing them to focus on more complex cases.
Better Health Outcomes: Research shows that MomConnect users are more likely to
attend antenatal appointments and follow safe maternal practices, contributing to reduced
maternal and infant mortality rates.
Scalable Communication: AI systems handle thousands of interactions daily without the
need for equivalent human resources, making the platform scalable for national use.
Sub-section 4: Challenges and Considerations (5 Marks)
Despite its success, the use of AI in public health also presents challenges:
Digital Divide: Limited access to smartphones and mobile data, especially in rural
communities, can limit the reach of AI-driven services.
Language and Literacy Barriers: Although MomConnect supports multiple languages,
some users may struggle with literacy or interpreting automated messages correctly.
Data Privacy and Ethics: Collecting and analyzing sensitive health data raises concerns
about user privacy, consent, and data protection — particularly in low-regulation
environments.
Infrastructure Dependence: The effectiveness of AI tools depends on reliable mobile
networks and backend support systems, which are not always consistent across all
regions.
To address these challenges, the DoH continues to partner with telecom providers, NGOs, and
global health organizations to expand access, monitor impact, and improve digital literacy among
users.
Conclusion
GUIDELINE) Semester 1 2025 ) - DUE 15 May
2025 Course
Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development
Solutions (EUP1501)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
Ethics of Information and Communication Technologies
EUP1501 Assignment 4 (COMPLETE GUIDELINE) Semester 1 2025 (825074) -
DUE 15 May 2025; 100% TRUSTED Complete, trusted
Recent technology developments are transforming how governments deliver
public services. This assessment will require you to analyze how a specific
government department or public utility is leveraging emerging technologies
to enhance service delivery and public sector efficiency. other than SARS
Instructions (Read them carefully, and make sure you fully answer the
questions): In not more than 800 words (excluding references), discuss how
government is integrating advanced technologies such as Artificial
Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Cloud Computing, Big Data, and Internet of
Things (IoT) to improve service delivery. Your discussion should address the
following: Introduction (5 Marks) • Choose a specific government department
or public utility that has adopted emerging technology. • Provide background
information on the department and its role in governance and public. Body
(23 Marks) Sub-section 1: Identify and Describe the Emerging Technology (6
Marks) • Identify one major technology (e.g., AI-powered chatbots,
blockchain for digital identity, IoT for smart cities, cloud-based e-
governance). • Provide a brief description of how this technology functions.
Title: Enhancing Public Health Through AI: A Case Study of the South African
Department of Health
Introduction (5 Marks)
The South African Department of Health (DoH) is a national government department
responsible for the formulation and implementation of health policy and ensuring access to
quality healthcare services for all South Africans. Operating under the vision of “a long and
healthy life for all South Africans,” the department manages a complex public healthcare system
,that serves over 80% of the population. In recent years, faced with growing demands, limited
resources, and infrastructure challenges, the DoH has turned to emerging technologies to
improve service delivery, enhance decision-making, and expand reach, particularly in under-
resourced communities.
One key initiative includes the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to modernize the public
healthcare system and drive innovation in areas such as maternal health, epidemiology, and
patient communication. Through platforms like MomConnect, the department integrates AI-
powered technologies to engage with millions of patients in real-time, improving both preventive
care and service responsiveness.
Body (23 Marks)
Sub-section 1: Identify and Describe the Emerging Technology (6 Marks)
The main emerging technology adopted by the Department of Health is Artificial Intelligence
(AI), particularly in the form of AI-powered mobile health platforms and data analytics tools.
AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines programmed to think, learn, and
make decisions. It involves technologies such as natural language processing (NLP), machine
learning (ML), and predictive analytics.
In the context of the DoH, AI is used primarily in the MomConnect program — a mobile-based
messaging service launched in 2014 and enhanced in later years with AI-driven chatbots and
analytics. AI enables the platform to provide automated, customized health information to
pregnant and new mothers, answer health queries via chatbots in multiple languages, and flag
high-risk users for follow-up by human health workers. The technology functions by analyzing
patterns in user responses, automatically delivering relevant content, and escalating cases based
on pre-programmed risk profiles.
Sub-section 2: Application of the Technology in Service Delivery (6 Marks)
MomConnect exemplifies how AI enhances service delivery. The platform sends registered users
(over 2 million mothers to date) weekly messages tailored to the stage of pregnancy or age of the
child. These messages include reminders for antenatal visits, tips for newborn care, and warnings
about danger signs during pregnancy.
The AI-powered Helpdesk functions as a 24/7 chatbot that can answer common health
questions and triage more complex queries to health professionals. This improves access to
health advice in rural and remote areas where healthcare professionals are scarce.
, Furthermore, AI supports data-driven decision-making within the Department of Health by
analyzing aggregate data from mobile interactions to monitor maternal health trends, identify
gaps in service delivery, and improve policy responsiveness.
Sub-section 3: Outcomes and Benefits (6 Marks)
The integration of AI into the DoH’s service delivery has led to several notable benefits:
Improved Access and Equity: AI allows women in remote or underserved areas to
access health information at no cost and in multiple local languages, improving equity in
healthcare access.
Enhanced Efficiency: AI-driven automation reduces the administrative burden on
healthcare workers, allowing them to focus on more complex cases.
Better Health Outcomes: Research shows that MomConnect users are more likely to
attend antenatal appointments and follow safe maternal practices, contributing to reduced
maternal and infant mortality rates.
Scalable Communication: AI systems handle thousands of interactions daily without the
need for equivalent human resources, making the platform scalable for national use.
Sub-section 4: Challenges and Considerations (5 Marks)
Despite its success, the use of AI in public health also presents challenges:
Digital Divide: Limited access to smartphones and mobile data, especially in rural
communities, can limit the reach of AI-driven services.
Language and Literacy Barriers: Although MomConnect supports multiple languages,
some users may struggle with literacy or interpreting automated messages correctly.
Data Privacy and Ethics: Collecting and analyzing sensitive health data raises concerns
about user privacy, consent, and data protection — particularly in low-regulation
environments.
Infrastructure Dependence: The effectiveness of AI tools depends on reliable mobile
networks and backend support systems, which are not always consistent across all
regions.
To address these challenges, the DoH continues to partner with telecom providers, NGOs, and
global health organizations to expand access, monitor impact, and improve digital literacy among
users.
Conclusion
