Abstract
The future of higher education is increasingly intertwined with experiential learning, immersive working environments, and the exploration of citizenship and identity through the lenses of human rights and psychosocial and environmental justice. As higher education adapts to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) have emerged as pivotal tools in creating interdisciplinary connections between social work education and other academic disciplines and professional settings. Social work education stands to benefit from the integration of AI and technology, which can enhance students’ understanding of diverse communities, analyze big data for improved decision-making, and facilitate virtual learning environments that transcend geographical barriers. However, concerns about the ethical implications of AI in social work, particularly in terms of maintaining human-centered practices, protecting client confidentiality, and addressing biases in algorithmic decision-making could emerge. In this context, human learning and machine learning must be seen as complementary, with AI serving as a tool to support, rather than replace, the relational, human aspects of social work practice. Thus, educators must navigate the ethical and practical challenges of incorporating AI into curricula while ensuring that students maintain a strong commitment to the values of social justice and human dignity. By balancing the potential of technology with the core principles of social work, we can better prepare students to address the multifaceted challenges of the future. Recommendations related to the incorporation of technology, and AI social work curricula and practice are considered. Barriers to implementation are also explored.
Presenters
Mioara DiaconuProfessor, Associate Director of Academic Affairs and Strategic Planning, School of Social Work, Western Michigan University, Michigan, United States Domingo Carbonero Munoz
Professor, Law, University of La Rioja, La Rioja, Spain Laura Racovita
Professor of Social Work/ Dean, Social Work, Southern Adventist University, Tennessee, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
AI, Technology, Social Work Education, Higher Education
