Artificial Intelligence and Social Work

Editor's Note

By Laetitia Clayton

As artificial intelligence use accelerates quickly in nearly every aspect of society, social workers and others are calling for caution and ethical use, while also acknowledging the benefits of using AI. 

This issue features part one of a three-part series on AI and social work, and focuses on AI use in clinical practice. While AI tools can offer increased efficiency—such as dictating or transcribing notes—clinical social workers must use these tools with caution, especially when it comes to guarding patient confidentiality. Look for part two in our fall issue, which will focus on AI and social work ethics. 

This issue also includes articles about social work student loan access and forgiveness, written before the U.S. Department of Education’s recent decision to cut off access to higher federal student loan limits for social work students. We updated the articles as much as possible before publication, but you also can read NASW’s May 1 news release on the decision at socialworkers.org/news/news-releases. 

NASW CEO Anthony Estreet says in the release that NASW “will continue to fight for the recognition social workers deserve and ensure that the cost of an education doesn’t prevent a dedicated professional from saving lives.” 

Until next time, 

Laetitia