AI ADOPTION IN REGIONAL SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE

Abstract

Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an important component of the digital transformation of public services, including social work. Its use offers opportunities for administrative support, more efficient information processing and the expansion of professional tools, while also raising ethical and organisational concerns.

Methods: The research was conducted as a quantitative questionnaire survey on a sample of 83 social workers in the Rimavská Sobota district in Slovakia. The study examined respondents’ age, workplace location, client age structure, form of social service provision and level of experience with AI. The hypotheses were tested using Spearman’s correlation test, the Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results: Social workers use AI mainly for text creation, information retrieval, administration and preparation of documentation. A weak negative statistically significant relationship was confirmed between respondents’ age and their level of experience with AI (r = -0.348; p = 0.001). Statistically significant differences were identified according to workplace location and the form of social service provision. Differences according to the age group of clients were not confirmed.

Discussion: The findings suggest that AI adoption in social work is shaped by both individual and contextual factors. Higher levels of experience are associated with urban workplaces and outpatient services, whereas residential services and rural settings show lower levels of experience. Ethical concerns, personal data protection and lack of practical skills remain significant barriers.

Conclusion: AI can be a useful supportive tool in social work, particularly in administrative and information-related activities. Its implementation must be accompanied by systematic education, internal guidelines and the preservation of professional judgement, human oversight and client dignity.