Artificial Intelligence for Social Good in Social Work
Chapter from the book: Yelboğa, N. (ed.) 2026. Social Work in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Practice and Future.

Hatice Hale Yurttabir
Haliç University

Synopsis

This chapter examines the potential of artificial intelligence technologies to generate social benefit in the field of social work from ethical, theoretical, and practical perspectives. Guided by the core values of social work—human dignity, social justice, and human rights—it argues that artificial intelligence should be understood not merely as a technical innovation but as a normative issue of governance. Within this framework, the concept of social benefit is grounded in both the Western notion of the “common good” and the Islamic principle of maslahah (public interest), thereby establishing a culturally sensitive ethical foundation. The chapter explores the use of artificial intelligence in key areas of social work practice, including social assistance systems, child protection services, health and mental health interventions, education, and migration management. While these applications offer significant opportunities for early intervention, efficient resource allocation, and risk prediction, they also pose serious ethical concerns such as algorithmic bias, data privacy violations, lack of transparency, and the potential erosion of professional autonomy. Recommendations are provided to strengthen the digital competencies of social workers. Ultimately, the chapter argues that artificial intelligence can contribute meaningfully to social work only when embedded within a governance framework that prioritizes human dignity, accountability, transparency, and cultural sensitivity.

How to cite this book

Yurttabir, H. H. (2026). Artificial Intelligence for Social Good in Social Work. In: Yelboğa, N. (ed.), Social Work in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Practice and Future. Özgür Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub1227.c4928

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Published

March 18, 2026

DOI