Ethical AI for Social Workers: Practical Foundations

A practicum-ready introduction to evaluating AI before it enters social-work learning or practice. Build a shared vocabulary, protect confidentiality and client dignity, keep accountability with people, and use a clear pause-and-assess routine when a task, tool, or policy is uncertain.

In this course

• Learn plain-language AI terms and recognize why fluent output can still be inaccurate, biased, or missing context.
• Practice a Pause and Assess check before entering information, choosing a tool, or relying on a draft.
• Keep client-identifying and confidential information out of public AI tools; use fictional, public, or explicitly approved material for learning.
• Review AI-assisted work for accuracy, dignity, bias, transparency, and the human judgment still required.
• Work through brief practicum scenarios for students/interns, supervisors, and faculty liaisons or programs.
• Plan when to consult supervision, agency policy, law, privacy or technology staff, and local resources.

Important boundaries

• No technical background is required. This course is for social workers, students/interns, field or practicum supervisors, faculty liaisons, and allied helping professionals.
• It does not approve a tool, create an agency workflow, or authorize documentation, client communication, assessment, eligibility, safety, or service decisions.
• Agency policy, applicable law, supervision, and local requirements govern real practice. AI tools, contracts, policies, and risks can change.

Educational-use note

This is general professional learning, not legal advice, clinical supervision, board policy, official ASWB material, employer-policy, technology-security, or risk-management advice. Verify the laws, regulations, contracts, workplace policies, and professional guidance that apply to your role, setting, and clients. Use supervision, consultation, and professional judgment when needed; this course does not guarantee outcomes.