AI

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Introduction

Artificial Intelligence has advanced rapidly over the past few years and it is becoming increasingly prevalent in social work. It offers much potential to support social workers with decision-making, reducing time spent on paperwork by automating processes and helping them signpost service users to tailored services and supports. Social work is a human and relational profession and there is concern that AI will negatively impact the therapeutic and person-centred relationship between worker and service user. BASW Chair Julia Ross writing in Community Care (October 4, 2024) however comments that:

“We need to remember that social work operates in the real world and the real world is now an AI world.”

She highlights the importance of social workers managing AI tools with the ‘emotional intelligence that they are so good at’ and taking time to understand its various applications before rejecting them. Appropriate use of AI in social work should seek to enhance the relational aspect rather than replace it.

What is AI?

AI is not a new term having first been coined back in the 1950’s by Stanfield professor, John McCarthy. Rudimentary models of AI have been used for decades to analyse data.

AI is a catch all terms that describes the ability of a computer or machine to do tasks that normally require human intelligence. Pritesh Mistry writing for the King’s Fund (16th May 2025) defines AI in its broadest sense as ‘computer software that interacts with text, images, video, speech and data to generate outputs, interpretations or new insights’.

AI is already in use in many of the day to day tools we engage with.

Take a moment to think about what some of these might be?

Different types of AI

There are a number of different types of AI including machine learning and generative AI. Click on the headings below to learn more.

Below are links to an example of where AI is being used by social workers.

David Gaylard, Senior Social Work Lecturer comments:

“such technical advances should not replace crucial professional reflection, judgement and decision-making. Otherwise, what’s the point of becoming a registered professional if prefixed words or prompts alongside set algorithms can determine complex social work decisions.”

Anastasia Koutsounia writing in Community Care (October 25, 2024) highlights that the focus should not just be on saving time and that making good notes is a key social work skill that aids reflection and decision-making. She says ‘it is often the act of writing notes that prompts the thinking and reflection that prompts action, and that moves practitioners from simply recording what happened to thinking about ‘so what’ and ‘now what’.

What are your thoughts on these comments?

Do you think that using AI tools such as CoPilot or Magic Notes to produce case notes from visits and assessments supports or hinders professional reflection and decision-making processes?

Do you think that professional decisions should be data-driven?

Ethical considerations

Take a moment to watch this short video below providing some guidance on AI ethical considerations in social work practice. (Video runtime – 2:48)

Social work students

AI tools can support you in your learning and development. However, it is important to remember it has limitations – consider the points above in the film and the accuracy of the tool you are using. It is also important to use these tools responsibly and ethically when undertaking your social work assignments and remember to refer to your university AI guidance (see links below). This is to ensure your reflections, critiques and evidence is based on your actual learning, academic research and placement experiences. Consider for example if you submitted AI generated content as your own work, would this be a breach of your Professional Standards of Conduct for Social Work Students?

Each institution delivering the degree in Social Work has a policy or guidance for students to follow:

Similarly, providers of practice learning should have policy or guidance in relation to the use of AI within the work place or their social work services – you should seek to find out what these are before proceeding to use AI tools in any of your practice-based learning.

In conclusion

AI offers much potential for social workers to extend their reach and better serve those individuals, families and communities they support. It is not however a replacement for human relationships. It is important that any use of AI is well regulated and is continually re-evaluated to understand the scope, nature and ethics of its use. Social workers must be part of any tools’ design process as well as the subsequent monitoring of how they are used including any potential negative impact on those they support.

Koutsounia (2024) highlights the potential of creating a future where ‘technology and humanity’ can join forces to promote social justice and enhance the wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Diving deeper

BASW have provided Al guidance which social workers will find useful:

Links to some other useful resources on social work and AI are provided below.

Reflective learning exercise

Complete the exercises below and keep a record of your reflections.

Watch this video (source Sky News (2023)) – Racial bias in AI: Officers question father in watch theft after he was wrongly identified by facial recognition technology:

A wide number of issues have been covered in this film? Consider the reflective questions below?

Some final reflections:

  • How do you feel about using AI in your social work practice? What steps might you take to allay any concerns or anxieties you have about its use?
  • AI is a rapidly changing field. How might you keep abreast of developments? How might you stitch it in to your ongoing CPD?
  • Does your employer have an AI policy? Are you aware of its contents?

We are always interested in ensuring our resources are valuable tools for the workforce and are keen to hear your feedback, or ideas for future topics which could be included in this resource.

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Main image by Photo by Google DeepMind sourced from Pexels.com