Social workers divided over AI’s impact on job skills

Photo: Community Care

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools for administrative tasks in social work has sparked controversy among practitioners.

This follows calls for the government from the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) and the Union of Social Workers. Regulating artificial intelligence and addressing ethical concernssuch as privacy, bias, and quality of the app.

28 councils in England are currently using or testing the Magic Notes tool to create case notes from visits; a pilot found this reduced time spent on assessments and case recording.

Other local authorities use Microsoft’s Copilot, an artificial intelligence program that transcribes meetings and creates notes and actions based on prompts, similar to Magic Notes.

However, the use of artificial intelligence in social services is still in its infancy. A recent Community Care survey of 713 respondents found that 79% of respondents did not use tools like Copilot or Magic Notes.

However, this issue has sparked serious debate in Turkey. Comment section of the relevant article.

‘Getting good grades is an important social work skill’

Victoria warned that “saving time does not help improve social work skills and knowledge.”

“We ignore the professional skills and learning gained through summarizing notes and interactions, making choices, and understanding the need to write good notes as an important social work skill that aids reflection and decision-making,” he added.

Victoria also questioned the councils’ consent policies, including whether they were clear that people’s information would be interpreted or summarized using artificial intelligence.

Stating that they are not against artificial intelligence assistance in recording meetings, DK said that taking notes is an important skill in social work decision-making.

“It is often the act of writing notes that stimulates action-promoting thought and reflection, moving practitioners from simply recording ‘what (happened)’ to thinking about ‘what happened’ and ‘what now’,” they added.

‘Artificial intelligence could lead to greater risk aversion’

Mental health social worker Sally Pepper “cautiously welcomed” the use of AI as a time-saving tool but questioned whether its recommendations would become “a standard by which to measure my work.”

“I am concerned that AI could lead to a strengths-based approach and greater risk aversion that runs counter to human rights,” he added.

“What will AI suggest about a person who frequently self-harms and is suicidal?”

He called for social workers to be part of the design process of the tools, which should be tailored to local needs.

Beam, the company behind Magic Notes, confirmed that it worked with the local government for several weeks before launching the tool, tailoring the program to its needs.

“If it helps me focus on difficult dilemmas by spending less time on simpler things, I’m all for it,” Sally added.

“But this is a complex system made even more complex by all the dangers and ethical issues that come with it.”

‘Vehicles can make mistakes’

But some social workers have warned that AI may only be successful in increasing workloads.

“Social work is in terrible shape right now because leaders are being deceived by ‘innovation’,” Tahin said.

“Electronic notes were intended to allow social workers to spend more time outside the office. Conclusion? More executive time is spent in front of the screen.”

Sabine, another practitioner, warned that AI tools could misunderstand the assessment or follow-up recommendations.

“I hope no one ever encounters a situation where managers say, ‘Do what the AI ​​says.'”

Senior social work instructor David Gaylard warned that “even well-intentioned innovations require careful regulation.”

“Such technical advances should not replace vital professional reflection, judgment and decision-making. “Otherwise, what is the point of being a registered professional if prescribed words or prompts as well as established algorithms can determine complex social work decisions?”

‘If we do not embrace change, change will change us’

However, not all opinions were negative.

Social worker Jimmy Choo praised Copilot for helping him save time and improve his writing and professionalism, but his employer has since stopped using the system.

Another, Fab, called the application of AI in social services “essential,” adding that it could “significantly increase productivity.”

“Social workers should not be left behind,” Kudakwashe Kurashwa added. “We need to engage with artificial intelligence and try to eliminate the bad aspects of the technology.

“If we do not embrace change, change will change us. I am ready for the future of social work, which includes other disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence and fintech!”

Would you use AI tools to record case notes?