The Digital Practitioner
Social Work in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
1st Edition
Will be published approx. on 7. December 2026
Book
Hardback
280 pages
978-1-041-23747-1 (ISBN)
Description
This book explores the intersection of AI and social work, offering a groundbreaking look at how AI technologies are transforming the field. It analyses AI's role in streamlining administration and supporting decisions, while navigating privacy concerns in this human-centred profession.
Organized in five comprehensive parts, this edited collection brings together diverse international perspectives on the integration of AI in social work. Part One establishes foundational knowledge about AI technologies and their intersection with social work values. Following this, Parts Two and Three explore practical applications and the delicate balance between technological efficiency and human judgment. In Part Four, contributors address critical ethical considerations including privacy, bias, and social justice. Finally, Part Five focuses on social work careers skills through education and training while bridging digital divides across diverse communities. Through case studies and real-world examples, readers gain valuable insights into how AI can be used to complement and strengthen the work of social workers, and see a roadmap for navigating this intersection of technology and human care. This will allow them to implement AI for applications in case management, predictive analytics, mental health support, and resource allocation.
This book is essential reading for social work professionals and students who will soon be moving into the field. Its comprehensive framework for understanding how AI can be ethically and effectively used in social work practice will also benefit mental health counsellors, allied health workers, and clinical psychologists and enable them to navigate the increasing influence and applications of AI.
Organized in five comprehensive parts, this edited collection brings together diverse international perspectives on the integration of AI in social work. Part One establishes foundational knowledge about AI technologies and their intersection with social work values. Following this, Parts Two and Three explore practical applications and the delicate balance between technological efficiency and human judgment. In Part Four, contributors address critical ethical considerations including privacy, bias, and social justice. Finally, Part Five focuses on social work careers skills through education and training while bridging digital divides across diverse communities. Through case studies and real-world examples, readers gain valuable insights into how AI can be used to complement and strengthen the work of social workers, and see a roadmap for navigating this intersection of technology and human care. This will allow them to implement AI for applications in case management, predictive analytics, mental health support, and resource allocation.
This book is essential reading for social work professionals and students who will soon be moving into the field. Its comprehensive framework for understanding how AI can be ethically and effectively used in social work practice will also benefit mental health counsellors, allied health workers, and clinical psychologists and enable them to navigate the increasing influence and applications of AI.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Postgraduate and Professional Reference
Illustrations
1 s/w Photographie bzw. Rasterbild, 4 s/w Zeichnungen, 9 s/w Tabellen, 5 s/w Abbildungen
9 Tables, black and white; 4 Line drawings, black and white; 1 Halftones, black and white; 5 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-041-23747-1 (9781041237471)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
approx. 12/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€63.36
Not yet published
Person
Tatenda Manomano is the Discipline Lead in Social Work and a Senior Lecturer at the Australian College of Applied Professions University College, and a Research Fellow at the University of the Free State. His work spans social work education, housing and family violence, and anti-oppressive practice.
Content
Part One: Introductory
1. Setting the scene, the basics of AI: Understanding Technology in Social Work: Tatenda Manomano
2. Intersection of Social Work and Artificial Intelligence: Jayne Hatherall, Sophie Goldingay and Johanna Donkers
Part Two: Application
3. AI in Action: Transforming Social Work Practices Professor Marina A Badillo-Diaz
4. AI for Administrative Efficiency: Streamlining Social Work Operations: Luvuyo Teko and Thomas Molala
5. The Algorithm Will See You Now: AI and Service User Engagement in Social Work: Andrew Prevett & Belinda Lange
6. Selected real-World Applications of AI in Social Work: Tatenda Manomano
7. Overcoming Challenges: Addressing Resistance and Bias in AI Systems: Tatenda Manomano
Part Three: Human/AI Thinking
8. AI in Decision-Making: Supporting Social Workers, Not Replacing Them: Tatenda Manomano
9. The Human Touch: Maintaining Empathy in a Tech-Driven World-David Mhlanga & Tatenda Manomano
10. How the misuse of AI Technologies can lead to distorted realities in social work practice: Jonathan Nyoni & Tatenda Manomano
Part Four: Ethics
11. Ethical Considerations: Balancing Technology and Humanity Professor Marina A Badillo-Diaz
12. Holding Onto Our Humanity: Ethical Social Work Practice in the Age of AI Andrew Prevett, Monica Short, Elizabeth Reimer & Darran Stonehouse
13. Ethical Guidelines and Best Practices for Implementing AI in Social Work: Frederick Reamer
14. Data Privacy and Security: Protecting Clients in a Digital World: Raquel Marta and Vinnarasan Aruldoss
Part Five: Social Work Careers skills
15. Training Social Workers for the AI Era: Adapting Skills and Knowledge-Marina A Badillo-Diaz
16. Training Future Practitioners Using AI: Dissonance and Integration-Angelique Odyssea and Colin Weber
17. Decolonising AI: Reimagining Social Work Ethics and Knowledge Systems in the Digital Age Henry Ndala
18. Bridging the Digital Divide in Social Work practice with communities. Eleanor Hendricks & Wiseman Ntlhari Mathebula
19. Social work in a digital era: Practitioner pathways for ethical AI integration. Elmien Claasens
Conclusion
20. The Future of Social Work and AI: Opportunities and Risks Ahead: Tatenda Manomano
21. Conclusion: Embracing AI without losing our humanity by Tatenda Manomano
1. Setting the scene, the basics of AI: Understanding Technology in Social Work: Tatenda Manomano
2. Intersection of Social Work and Artificial Intelligence: Jayne Hatherall, Sophie Goldingay and Johanna Donkers
Part Two: Application
3. AI in Action: Transforming Social Work Practices Professor Marina A Badillo-Diaz
4. AI for Administrative Efficiency: Streamlining Social Work Operations: Luvuyo Teko and Thomas Molala
5. The Algorithm Will See You Now: AI and Service User Engagement in Social Work: Andrew Prevett & Belinda Lange
6. Selected real-World Applications of AI in Social Work: Tatenda Manomano
7. Overcoming Challenges: Addressing Resistance and Bias in AI Systems: Tatenda Manomano
Part Three: Human/AI Thinking
8. AI in Decision-Making: Supporting Social Workers, Not Replacing Them: Tatenda Manomano
9. The Human Touch: Maintaining Empathy in a Tech-Driven World-David Mhlanga & Tatenda Manomano
10. How the misuse of AI Technologies can lead to distorted realities in social work practice: Jonathan Nyoni & Tatenda Manomano
Part Four: Ethics
11. Ethical Considerations: Balancing Technology and Humanity Professor Marina A Badillo-Diaz
12. Holding Onto Our Humanity: Ethical Social Work Practice in the Age of AI Andrew Prevett, Monica Short, Elizabeth Reimer & Darran Stonehouse
13. Ethical Guidelines and Best Practices for Implementing AI in Social Work: Frederick Reamer
14. Data Privacy and Security: Protecting Clients in a Digital World: Raquel Marta and Vinnarasan Aruldoss
Part Five: Social Work Careers skills
15. Training Social Workers for the AI Era: Adapting Skills and Knowledge-Marina A Badillo-Diaz
16. Training Future Practitioners Using AI: Dissonance and Integration-Angelique Odyssea and Colin Weber
17. Decolonising AI: Reimagining Social Work Ethics and Knowledge Systems in the Digital Age Henry Ndala
18. Bridging the Digital Divide in Social Work practice with communities. Eleanor Hendricks & Wiseman Ntlhari Mathebula
19. Social work in a digital era: Practitioner pathways for ethical AI integration. Elmien Claasens
Conclusion
20. The Future of Social Work and AI: Opportunities and Risks Ahead: Tatenda Manomano
21. Conclusion: Embracing AI without losing our humanity by Tatenda Manomano