Artificial intelligence has the potential to change social work in a sustainable and transformative way and to become a game changer due to the current challenges. Prof Dr Michael Garkisch, Professor of Digital Social Work and Social Management at OTH Regensburg, is one of the pioneers of the global specialist discussion. Together with the renowned US scientist Associate Professor Lauri Goldkind (Fordham University New York), Michael Garkisch has developed a framework model for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in social work. The model is based on a comprehensive analysis of international specialist literature and was recently published open access in the Journal of Human Rights and Social Work, published by Springer.
Innovations and responsible use of AI
By introducing the term ‘Artificial Social Work’, the researchers are also setting a new conceptual milestone in the specialist discussion. The term emphasises the need to adapt AI technologies specifically to the needs and values of social work and thus make AI - beyond industry - more understandable and tangible for social work: The framework model is intended to pave the way for innovations in social work, give practitioners concrete orientation for the use of AI and at the same time prepare students for this field. The model also systematically identifies opportunities and limitations, provides guidance for the responsible use of AI at the level of the profession, the organisation and the recipients and is based on social work's understanding of human rights:
‘Everyone seems to be talking about artificial intelligence, but it's still mainly in industry. Admittedly, that annoys me sometimes. Yet this technology has the greatest potential for innovation and application, especially in the social sector. The model offers concrete guidance for pioneers worldwide who want to integrate AI responsibly and efficiently into their social work practice, while complying with the relevant legal framework,’ emphasises Prof. Dr Garkisch, who studied social work himself and has long had a passion for innovation.
AI as a game changer in the social work sector of the future
The analysis also shows that AI already has a wide range of applications in social work today. These can essentially be summarised in four areas: Risk assessment and prevention, personalised support, increasing efficiency and optimising resources, and decision support.
‘I am in favour of the approach of proactively shaping the future. Social work, with its diverse fields of work, is an industry of the future. I would also like to champion this realisation. AI could become a real game changer for social work, also with regard to current challenges. Our aim is to shape the future in dialogue with practitioners and politicians. To this end, we are looking for interested project partners from the field who are interested in the future,’ explains Prof Dr Michael Garkisch
