Artificiell intelligens som verktyg i socialt arbete : Möjligheter, utmaningar och påverkan på den professionella rollen

Sammanfattning

This study explores the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on social work, with a focus on the social services sector. AI is often promoted as a tool to streamline administrative tasks and enhance decision-making, yet it raises critical questions regarding legal safeguards, ethics, and professional roles. Using qualitative interviews and thematic analysis, the study identifies five key themes. The first theme highlights AI:s potential to reduce administrative burdens and support preventive work. The second examines shifts in professional roles, emphasizing new skill requirements. The third addresses legal and ethical challenges, such as data protection and algorithmic bias. The fourth discusses efficiency gains and obstacles to implementation, while the fifth underscores the importance of user involvement and strategic processes to support social work. Theories of Street-Level Bureaucracy and professionalism are employed to analyze how new technologies influence practitioners' discretion and client relationships. The findings contribute insights into the implications of AI for social work and outline the organizational and societal conditions necessary for sustainable implementation. This study aims to illuminate the complex relationships between technology, professions, and clients and explores how AI can enhance social work in ethical and effective ways.