Despite difficulties in applying computer use and information technology, so-called "expert systems" have attracted some attention. These are computer programmes that, by utilizing information and reasoning techniques, try to simulate those employed by human experts. Pilot projects involving expert systems are being applied to problems of developing countries, primarily to agricultural, forestry and village health care. The use of expert-systems in developing countries has not lived up to expectations of the 1980s; but there are some promising expert systems in operation in developing countries and others in developed countries which have potential productive applications for developing countries.