The ETHICS Framework: A Practical Model for Evaluating AI in Social Work Practice

AI Foundations for Social Work Practice

Artificial intelligence is increasingly used in social work practice to draft clinical documentation, support screening and assessment, and assist with other practice tasks. Clients are also increasingly using AI tools for information, emotional support, and crisis-related concerns. These uses raise important ethical questions about informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, bias in AI systems trained on historical data, the accuracy and integrity of clinical documentation, and client safety, including whether AI recommendations introduce risk and whether practitioners maintain appropriate human oversight.

This session introduces the ETHICS Framework, an original model developed specifically for social work practice to help practitioners evaluate AI tools and their use in practice. Participants will learn how to apply the framework's six principles: Equity, Transparency, Human-centeredness, Integrity, Collaboration, and Safety. Through case examples involving AI-assisted documentation, assesment tools, and lcient use of AI during a crisis, participants will examine how the NASW Code of Ethics applies to emerging technologies and identify considerations for responsible practice.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Identify current uses of artificial intelligence in social work practice, including AI-assisted documentation, screening and assessment tools, and client use of AI for information, support, and crisis-related concerns.

2. Describe ethical considerations related to AI use in social work practice, including informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, bias in AI systems trained on historical data, documentation accuracy and integrity, and client safety, including risk and appropriate human oversight.

3. Apply the ETHICS Framework to evaluate AI tools and their use in practice through case examples involving documentation, assessment, and client use of AI.

4. Identify strategies and language for discussing AI use with supervisors, agency leaders, colleagues, and clients in accordance with professional social work values and the NASW Code of Ethics.

CEU's: 3 hours of Maryland CEU's awarded for Category I

This is a virtual event via Zoom. The Zoom link to attend the workshop will be sent out via email 1-week prior to the event.

Future Workshops for this Series:

This is the 2nd of 3 trainings pertaining to the "AI in Social Work Continuing Education Series."

**Each workshop is an individual event and the tickets must be purchased separately.**

Training 3:

Nov 6, 2026 from 10am - 1pm EST: AI in the Clinical Relationship: Response Use and Client Care (3 CEUs awarded for Category I)

Purchase Ticket Here: AI in the Clinical Relationship Workshop(opens in a new tab)