Working With AI in Social Work Practice: Harm, Help, and Human Judgement - June 2026

Live Online Webinar

Capability levels: Evolving & Established

Artificial intelligence is already being used by clients in real time, often outside of practitioner awareness. From emotional support to advice-seeking, large language model chatbots are becoming part of the client’s everyday environment, shaping behaviour, thinking, and relationships. For social workers, this presents a new practice reality: working not only with the client and their system, but also with the influence of AI in the background.

This webinar will explore how AI chatbots are currently being used by clients, including potential benefits such as increased engagement and accessibility, as well as risks such as misinformation, over-reliance, sycophancy, and reduced human connection. The session will focus on how social workers can integrate awareness of AI use into their assessment, formulation, and intervention processes.

Participants will be introduced to a practical framework—drawing on Laurie Goldkind's Digital Stewardship and Heather Boetto's EPIC model—for working with AI-informed client behaviour. Case examples will demonstrate how to differentiate essential human skills (like deep listening and safely challenging clients) from automated responses, and how practitioners can respond in a way that supports critical thinking, reflection, and human judgement.

Who should attend?

This webinar is suitable for social workers who have experience in direct practice and are looking to develop their understanding of emerging technologies in their work. It is particularly relevant for practitioners working in:

• Mental health
• Disability and NDIS contexts
• Child, youth, and family services

This training is suited to an evolving to established level practitioner who is seeking to build practical skills in integrating AI-related considerations into assessment and intervention.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

· Identify how service users are currently using AI chatbots and describe the potential impacts on behaviour, cognition, and relationships.

· Analyse the benefits, risks, and ethical considerations of AI chatbot use within a social work practice framework, including issues related to bias, safety, and system design.

· Apply a practical strategy (incorporating Heather Boetto's EPIC model and Laurie Goldkind's Digital Stewardship approach) to assess, respond to, and work alongside AI-influenced behaviour in clinical and community settings.

AASW Credentials: Mental Health, Disability

Can't attend live? Your registration includes a copy of the presentation slides and 2 weeks' free access to the event recording.