Social Work Practice and Artificial Intelligence for the Common Good

Othelia EunKyoung Lee is a professor at UNC Charlotte School of Social Work. Dr. Lee’s research focuses on the development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative community-based interventions aimed at improving health behaviors among older adults. Some highlights of her scholarship include over 100 articles in mental health, gerontology, cultural diversity, and technology.Moon Sun Song is a research professor at Kangnam University in South Korea, specializing in interdisciplinary care research merging social welfare with AI and ICT. By leading the “Welfare Technology Living Lab,” she fosters a sustainable welfare tech ecosystem, driving industry–academia collaborations that connect technology enterprises with social welfare agencies.

"Othelia Lee and Moon Sun Song’s insightful exploration of cutting-edge issues related to social workers’ use of AI is timely and compelling. Their focus on complex challenges related to human rights, algorithmic bias, structural inequality, and privacy, among other core issues, is informative and thought provoking. The authors’ discussion of AI in traditional social work contexts—child welfare, behavioral health, and programs that serve older adults and people with disabilities—is especially instructive."Dr. Fredrick Reamer, Professor, Rhode Island College, US“This book captures essential tools for anyone who wants to understand the breadth and depth of AI in social work. It is a must-read for social workers looking to navigate and utilize artificial intelligence in this fast-changing society shaped by artificial intelligence!" Dr. Hyeouk "Chris" Hahm, Professor, Boston University, US“This timely and practical book equips the profession to navigate AI with clarity, competence, and ethical intention. Grounded in social work values, it translates complex technological concepts into actionable guidance with essential guardrails that strengthen professional judgment and mitigate bias. The book is a vital resource for social workers committed to responsible, future-ready practice.”Dr. Marina A. Badillo-Diaz, Founder, The AI Social Worker, New York University, US"As AI becomes increasingly embedded in systems that shape community and individual wellbeing, social workers must be prepared to engage it critically and ethically to advance the common good. This book is a timely and much needed resource for students and practitioners, offering clear guidance and a strong ethical foundation for navigating AI in social work practice."Dr. Drew Reynolds, Principal Consultant, Common Good Data, US“Othelia Lee and Moon Sun Song have written a must-read primer for social workers seeking guidance in this new era of the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in health and human services. Through thoughtful discussion and case studies authors reveals how AI can transform, even revolutionize, the delivery of social services. This book is a call to action to social workers about how they can leverage the potential power of AI for social good and justice creating a future in which technology and humanity are intertwined to promote the well-being of all individuals, families, and communities.”Dr. Judith Gonyea, Professor, Boston University, US

• List of figures. List of tables. Preface. Acknowledgments. Glossary Part I: Foundations 1.Social Work Practice in the Age of Artificial Intelligence 2.History of Technology in Human Services 3.ICT, IoT, and AI 4.Generative AI and Agentic AI Part II: Ethics, Equity, and Justice 5.Algorithmic Bias and Structural Inequality 6.AI Ethics in Human Services 7.Human Rights and AI Governance 8.Prompt Engineering for Social Workers Part III: AI across Social Work Practice 9.AI for Children and Family Services 10.AI for Mental Health Services 11.AI for Older Adults and People with Disabilities Part IV: Empowerment and Building Competencies 12.Human-Centered AI Design for the Common Good 13.Global Perspectives on AI and Social Work 14.AI Literacy for Social Workers in the Future. Index