AI for Social Work 101 - Basics of Generative AI for Social Work Responsible & Ethical Practice

2 Hours | 2 CEs

This on-demand professional training program on AI for Social Work 101 - Basics of Generative AI for Social Work Responsible & Ethical Practice is presented by Marina Badillo-Diaz, DSW.

This program provides a comprehensive introduction to the world of AI, including foundational concepts, basic prompt engineering, and practical applications of ChatGPT and other tools. Designed for social work professionals with minimal prior experience with AI, this session aims to enhance your productivity while saving time, and navigating the ethical landscape of AI in Social Work. The session starts with a primer on the foundational concepts of AI, the different types of AI systems and their capabilities.

Participants gain an understanding of key terms like machine learning, natural language processing, and generative AI, which are the building blocks of tools like ChatGPT. There is a significant focus on prompt engineering, which is the art of crafting queries to effectively communicate with AI. For social workers, learning this skill is vital, as it can shape the AI’s responses to be more aligned with the nuanced needs of their service.

The program includes a demonstration of prompting and then interactive exercises to practice writing prompts for participants to practice. In addition, as we discuss the capabilities of AI, it’s imperative to address the ethical considerations that accompany its use in social work. This session provides guidelines for responsible AI use, ensuring that professionals understand how to maintain confidentiality, ensure privacy of data, and cultural bias in AI-assisted processes. We’ll discuss the implications of AI in decision-making and how to integrate human judgment and social work expertise.

This program is intended for all career levels of a clinician or social worker's career. This is targeted at novice users of artificial intelligence.