AI for Social Work: Generative AI for Responsible & Ethical Practice

Workshop Description

This workshop 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, and the different types of AI systems and their capabilities. Participants will 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 will be 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 session will include a live demonstration of prompting and then interactive exercises to practice writing prompts for participants to practice. In addition to discussing the capabilities of AI, the presenter will address the imperative ethical considerations that accompany its use in social work. This session will provide guidelines for responsible AI use, ensuring that professionals understand how to maintain confidentiality, ensure privacy of data, and cultural bias in AI-assisted processes. The presentation will also discuss the implications of AI in decision-making and how to integrate human judgment and social work expertise.

This workshop is part of a three-part series, but each session is a stand-alone offering. Members do not need to attend all three to earn CE credit — they can register for and attend just one session and receive CE credit for that individual program.

Learning Objectives

After completing this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Describe AI and generative AI applications like ChatGPT and how to use these in their social work practice.
• Explain basic prompt engineering techniques for generative AI tools.
• Discuss the need for ethical and responsible practices about generative AI usage.

Continuing Education Credits: 2.0

This workshop is approved for licensed social workers, licensed mental health counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, and licensed psychologists.

Presenter: Dr. Marina Badillo-Diaz, DSW, LCSW, SIFI

Dr. Badillo-Diaz is an experienced school administrator and counseling director with a demonstrated history of working in community mental health and in education as a social worker. Currently, Dr. Badillo-Diaz is a consultant focusing on the training of educators and social workers with MABD Consulting. She is also an adjunct professor and former board member of the National School Social Work Association of America from 2022-24. She is also the author of the blog, “The AI Social Worker”, a 21st Century Skills and AI guide for Social Workers. Her areas of interest include 21st-century skills, social-emotional learning programming, school social work practice, education, youth mental health, clinical supervision for social workers, AI Applications, data management, and career development.