Artificial Intelligence and Social Work


Book Description

An introductory guide with real-life examples on using AI to help homeless youth, diabetes patients, and other social welfare interventions.




The Big Nine


Book Description

A call-to-arms about the broken nature of artificial intelligence, and the powerful corporations that are turning the human-machine relationship on its head. We like to think that we are in control of the future of "artificial" intelligence. The reality, though, is that we -- the everyday people whose data powers AI -- aren't actually in control of anything. When, for example, we speak with Alexa, we contribute that data to a system we can't see and have no input into -- one largely free from regulation or oversight. The big nine corporations -- Amazon, Google, Facebook, Tencent, Baidu, Alibaba, Microsoft, IBM and Apple--are the new gods of AI and are short-changing our futures to reap immediate financial gain. In this book, Amy Webb reveals the pervasive, invisible ways in which the foundations of AI -- the people working on the system, their motivations, the technology itself -- is broken. Within our lifetimes, AI will, by design, begin to behave unpredictably, thinking and acting in ways which defy human logic. The big nine corporations may be inadvertently building and enabling vast arrays of intelligent systems that don't share our motivations, desires, or hopes for the future of humanity. Much more than a passionate, human-centered call-to-arms, this book delivers a strategy for changing course, and provides a path for liberating us from algorithmic decision-makers and powerful corporations.




Artificial Intelligence and Social Work


Book Description

This book marries social work and artificial intelligence to provide an introductory guide for using AI for social good. Following an introductory chapter laying out approaches and ethical principles of using AI for social work interventions, the book describes in detail an intervention to increase the spread of HIV information by using algorithms to determine the key individuals in a social network of homeless youth. Other chapters present interdisciplinary collaborations between AI and social work students, including a chatbot for sexual health information and algorithms to determine who is at higher stress among persons with Type 2 Diabetes. For students, academic researchers, industry leaders, and practitioners, these real-life examples from the USC Center for Artificial Intelligence in Society demonstrate how social work and artificial intelligence can be used in tandem for the greater good.




Transcultural Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Health and Social Care


Book Description

Transcultural Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Health and Social Care provides healthcare professionals with a deeper understanding of the incredible opportunities brought by the emerging field of AI robotics. In addition, it provides robotic researchers with the point-of-view of healthcare professionals to understand what the healthcare sector – as well as the market – really needs from robotics technology. By doing so, the book fills an important gap between both fields in order to leverage new developments and collaborative work in favor of global patients. The book is aimed at the non-technical reader, especially health and social care professionals, and explains in a simple way the technological principles applied in the development of socially assistive humanoid AI robots (SAHR), the values which guide such developments, the ethics related to them, and research approaches in the field, with a focus on achieving a culturally competent SAHR. - 2023 PROSE Awards - Winner: Category: Nursing and Allied Health: Association of American Publishers - Presents user-friendly and stage-by-stage information to help readers appreciate how AI robots work and how they can be integrated in their work environments - Explains why AI and socially assistive robotics need to be culturally competent - Helps reduce readers' fears and change negative prejudices they may have about robots as a relevant tool for healthcare - Written by experts in AI robotics and the creators of transcultural health/social robotics - Informed by the largest trial conducted with real patients




The Routledge International Handbook of Social Work Teaching


Book Description

This handbook is a comprehensive text on social work education based on the narratives of social work educators, practitioners, and researchers from Asia and the Pacific, North and South America, Australia and Oceania, and Europe. It discusses innovations, challenges, pedagogy, and tested methods of social work teaching at various levels of educational programmes. The volume: Examines key concepts that underpin debates concerning social work teaching, research, and practice Brings out key concerns, debates, and narratives concerning various teaching, learning, and pedagogical methods from different countries Documents principal perspectives of different stakeholders involved in social work education – from educators and practitioners to novice social workers The Routledge International Handbook of Social Work Teaching will be an effective instrument in informing policy decisions related to social work teaching and pedagogy at the global and local levels. It will be essential for educators, researchers, and practitioners within social work institutions and for professional associations around the world.




Re-imagining Social Work


Book Description

Re-imagining Social Work provides a unique perspective on how social work can evolve for the future.




Handbook of Research on Policies, Protocols, and Practices for Social Work in the Digital World


Book Description

Social work plays an important role in reintegrating individuals into society, educating, raising awareness, implementing social policy, and realizing legal regulations. The emergence of digital innovations and the effects of health problems including the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals and society have led to the development of innovations, virtual/digital practices, and applications in this field. The contributions of the recent pandemic and digital transformation to social work and practices should be revealed in the context of international standards. Policies, Protocols, and Practices for Social Work in the Digital World presents the current best practices, policies, and protocols within international social work. It focuses on the impact of digital applications, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and digital transformation on social work. Covering topics including burnout, management, social engineering, anti-discrimination strategies, and women’s studies, this book is essential for social workers, policymakers, government officials, scientists, clinical professionals, technologists, practitioners, researchers, academicians, and students.




Practice Skills in Social Work and Welfare


Book Description

Practice Skills in Social Work and Welfare has established itself as the essential text to prepare students for the wide-ranging challenges they will face in today's human service sector. This new fourth edition continues the text's core strength of connecting theory with practical examples to build the reader's confidence and expertise in key areas of practice. Part 1 outlines the critical social work and strengths-based practices that underpin the book's approach and provides the context for learning practice skills in a group setting, during community development projects and with individuals and families. Part 2 focuses on developing effective relationships with service users, illustrating through realistic scenarios how social work and human service practitioners can apply their practice skills in a range of settings. In Part 3, the essential elements of client assessment are explored, including risk assessment and cross-cultural perspectives. Issues surrounding intervention are examined in Part 4 from working with families and groups to challenging constructively and safely, while research, evaluation and facilitating closure are covered in the final part. This fourth edition is fully revised and updated and features new material on working with technology, Pasifika communities, LGBTQI+ service users and culturally responsive practice.




Fieldwork in Social Work


Book Description




Science and Social Work


Book Description

Science and Social Work is a critical appraisal of the strategies and methods that have been used to develop knowledge for social work practice. It identifies the major ways in which social workers have drawn upon scientific knowledge and techniques, placing each one in historical perspective by explaining the nature of the problems it was designed to solve and the philosophical, political, and practical questions it raised. Kirk and Reid offer a balanced appraisal of the promises, accomplishments, and limits of such approaches, demonstrating how the fruits of scientific research can aid clinical practice with individuals, families and groups.