International Research Week on AI and Social Services

Situated within one of the world’s most highly digitalized public sectors, Danish social work has been shaped by extensive investments in digital infrastructure and data-driven governance. This keynote explores the development of digital technologies and particularly AI in Danish social work over the last decade. The presentation examines how these developments have intersected with a field characterized by individualized, case-oriented interventions and a strong emphasis on statutory practice.

The keynote traces three waves of digitalization: first, the introduction of digital case management systems and increasing standardization of social work; second, the growing use of data collection, performance metrics, and predictive algorithms; and third, the recent emergence of generative AI and automated text production. Drawing particularly on the Danish Public Employment Services (PES) as a case, the presentation discusses examples such as the STAR predictive algorithm and recent applications of generative AI, including Fasit.

Overall, the keynote aims to reflect on how AI is transforming professional practice, organizational control, and decision-making in contemporary Danish social work.

Two major transformations are currently shaping the fields of social work, health and education: the rapid development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), and the growing urgency of sustainability and climate-related challenges. Although these developments are often discussed separately, they increasingly influence one another in practice.

This interactive workshop will explore how digitalization (especially AI) and sustainability intersect within social work and related professions. Participants will reflect on questions such as: Can AI contribute to more sustainable social services? Where do tensions arise between efficiency, resource consumption and social justice? How might AI support or undermine sustainable and inclusive professional practice?

The workshop combines short theoretical input with collaborative reflection and practical examples from social work contexts. Participants will examine the social, ecological and economic dimensions of the digital transformation stimulated by AI using small case studies and analytical tools.

The session aims to facilitate international and interdisciplinary dialogue, encouraging critical reflection on the future role of AI in socially and ecologically sustainable practice.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing professional practice in social work. While discussions about AI often focus on technological developments or ethical concerns, there is still limited clarity regarding the specific competencies social work professionals need in order to work critically, responsibly and effectively with AI-supported systems.

Several competency frameworks already exist, also specifically for AI. However, these models are often developed within sector-specific contexts and may not fully address the relational, ethical and justice-oriented dimensions that characterize social work practice.

This interactive session aims to explore how existing (AI) competency models can inform the development of a competence framework specifically for social work professionals. Drawing on emerging work, including recent initiatives around AI competencies for nurses, participants will collaboratively reflect on which knowledge, skills, attitudes and ethical capacities are needed in social work contexts.

The session will invite participants to compare international perspectives, identify overlaps and gaps between existing models, and discuss how AI competencies can be embedded within professional values such as participation, inclusion, empowerment and social justice. Through dialogue and collaborative exchange, the workshop seeks to contribute to the development of a shared and practice-oriented understanding of AI literacy and professional competence in social work.