I am the creator and coordinator for the project where the Information Systems (IS) and Nursing faculties at the University of the Western Cape have embarked on an innovative collaboration aimed at addressing pressing health challenges through the use of AI technology. Third-year IS students, alongside Nursing staff, are participating in a series of design thinking workshops to develop AI chatbots tailored to meet user needs. These chatbots, built by IS students, are designed to assist in healthcare concerns such as cancer, diabetes, celiac disease, female reproductive health, and dental health. The collaboration emphasizes user-centred design principles to ensure the effectiveness and usability of the AI prototypes. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, the university is at the forefront of healthcare innovation, bridging the gap between technology and healthcare https://www.uwc.ac.za/news-and-announcements/news/pioneering-ai-powered-healthcare-solutions-uwcs-interdisciplinary-collaboration-tackles-pressing-medical-challenges

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Examples of student prototypes can be viewed here: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7182821423239815169/ 

Examples of their AI chatbots from the collaboration with the Nursing faculty can be viewed here:

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7186008681707126784/?commentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Acomment%3A(activity%3A7186008681707126784%2C7192107610752323584)&dashCommentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_comment%3A(7192107610752323584%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7186008681707126784)

🌟 Breaking Barriers in Healthcare at the University of the Western Cape: Meet UWC Information Systems Department Cardia, our Cardiovascular #AI #Chatbot Prototype built in collaboration with Community Health Science Faculty Jennifer Chipps🌟

🚨 Did you know? Cardiovascular disease is a leading killer in South Africa. But in communities like Fisantekraal, Western Cape, access to healthcare and preventative resources is a daily struggle.

💡 Introducing Cardia: We’re testing a game-changing AI chatbot designed to tackle this crisis head-on with the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape UWC TTO Isabel Musakwa Mishkah Adams. No doctors’ queues. Limited data costs. No jargon. Just accessible, health support in your pocket.

Here’s why Cardia is revolutionary:

✅ Personalised Advice: Get tailored recommendations for diet, exercise, and stress management—no medical degree required.

✅ Low Data Barriers: It doesn't use lots of expensive data.

✅ Privacy First: Your health data stays yours—no sharing, no ads, no exploitation.

🌍 Why Fisantekraal?

This community embodies resilience but faces systemic gaps in healthcare access. With Cardia, we’re testing if AI can democratize health equity—one chat at a time.

🙌 Our Design Philosophy:

“Tech isn’t about replacing doctors—it’s about empowering people to take control BEFORE they need emergency care. Cardia is a bridge, not a band-aid.”

🤝 Join the Movement:

1️⃣ Comment: How could AI bridge gaps in your community’s healthcare?

2️⃣ Tag colleagues in public health, tech, or NGOs working in underserved areas.

3️⃣ Share to amplify this mission—because health equity shouldn’t be a privilege.

🚀 The Future: If Cardia works here, it can work anywhere. Let’s redefine what’s possible for global health.

#DigitalHealth #HealthTech #AIForGood #SouthAfrica #Innovation #HealthcareEquity #CardiovascularHealth 

In the realm of innovative applications of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) within the South African context, we examined "Factors Affecting Consumer Acceptance and Use of Mobile Delivery Applications in South Africa". By probing into the factors that influence consumer acceptance, the research not only enriches the academic discourse on ICT but also provides valuable insights for businesses aiming to optimize the adoption of mobile delivery solutions in the region. In a parallel vein, the investigation into factors influencing the acceptance and use of a South African online bank reflects a broader commitment to unravelling the complexities of technology adoption in the financial sector. This dual focus underscores the holistic approach required to comprehend user behaviour, highlighting elements that can inform strategic decisions for both businesses and policymakers. These scholarly endeavours collectively contribute to the ongoing narrative of leveraging innovative ICT solutions to address contemporary challenges and opportunities in South Africa's technological landscape.

Journal articles

Gertze, L. & Petersen, F. (2024) Factors influencing the acceptance and use of a South African online bank. SA Journal of Information Management (SAJIM) 26(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajim.v26i1.1759

Musakwa, I.S. and Petersen, F. (2023) Factors Affecting Consumer Acceptance and Use of Mobile Delivery Applications in South Africa. SA Journal of Information Management (SAJIM), 25(1), 1-8.   https://sajim.co.za/index.php/SAJIM/article/view/1585 

Conference proceedings

Petersen, F. and Rich, S. (2024). Factors Affecting the Use of a South African Payment and Reward Application During COVID-19: Insights from Google Reviews. International Conference on Information Communications Technology and Society (ICTAS). 7- 9 March 2024. DOI: 10.1109/ICTAS59620.2024.10507131 https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10507131