In the Echoes of Tomorrow: The Intersection of Social Work and Artificial Intelligence Through the Eyes of Turkish Students

Abstract

This study aimed to examine social work students’ perspectives on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on social work. This research was prepared with a qualitative design to explore the reflections of social work students in Türkiye and twelve focus groups were conducted. The data were analyzed using MAXQDA, and two main themes were created: opportunities and challenges. The opportunities include innovation, transformative dimensions, and work optimization, while challenges consist of competency for professional practice, ethical issues, and labor sub-themes. The results indicate that students think that AI will increase efficiency in terms of gaining speed and time, reducing bureaucracy, performing risk analysis, and reducing costs. In the research findings, students point out that AI may lead to ethical violations in terms of privacy concerns, the possibility of data misuse, etc. Students emphasize the risk of increased unemployment with the integration of AI into social work. Future research could investigate the long-term impact of integrating AI into social work practice, examining its evolving effect on client outcomes and professional roles.

Keywords:

• Artificial intelligence
• social work
• social work students

Disclosure Statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest concerning this article’s research, authorship, or publication.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [M.D.P.G.], upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Buğra Tulğan

Buğra Tulğan, MSW. He completed his undergraduate education in Başkent University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Social Work in 2019. He received his master’s degree at Başkent University, Social Sciences Institute, Social Work in 2024. His master’s thesis is on the relationship between artificial intelligence and social work. He is working as a manager and social worker in a private nursing home in Ankara.

Merve Deniz Pak Güre

Merve Deniz Pak Güre, MSW, PhD. She completed her undergraduate education in Başkent University, Department of Healthcare Management and Social Work. She completed her master’s degree in Başkent University Social Work and Ankara University Interdisciplinary Family Counseling Department. She finished her doctorate education at Hacettepe University, Department of Social Work. She is working as a faculty member in Başkent University Social Work Department.