SOCIAL WORK AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: IMPLICATIONS FOR SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE AND EDUCATION

This paper explored the evolving intersection between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and social work, focusing on the implications for practice and education in South Africa. As AI technologies increasingly shape human-centered services, their integration into social work offers both promising opportunities and critical challenges. The study adopted a literature review methodology to explore the global and local applications of AI in areas such as mental health, education, substance abuse intervention, and social services delivery. The analysis revealed that AI can enhance decision-making, personalize interventions, and expand access to marginalized populations. However, the paper also highlights barriers such as digital inequality, ethical concerns, resistance to change, and a lack of policy frameworks specific to AI in social work. Drawing from these insights, the study calls for inclusive policies, strategic investment in training and infrastructure, and community engagement to ensure the ethical and effective use of AI in social work. The paper concludes by proposing a conceptual framework that underscores human-AI collaboration, ethical considerations, accessibility, data empowerment, and cross-sector partnerships as key pillars for successfully integrating AI into South Africa's social work landscape.