Shanghai symposium explores AI's role in social work

More than 100 scholars and practitioners from around the globe gathered at East China University of Science and Technology on Thursday to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping social work, addressing both its potential and associated risks.

The symposium brought together experts from countries including Australia, Finland, Ireland and the United States to discuss theoretical frameworks, ethical standards, practical applications and talent development in the emerging field.

"AI offers outstanding advantages in customization, multilingual interaction, 24/7 availability and evidence-based diagnosis," said Bruce A Thyer, founding editor of Research on Social Work Practice and former dean at Florida State University. However, Thyer also warned of associated risks, including commercial AI systems potentially inducing self-harm, lack of quality control, and profit-driven motives.

Paul Michael Garrett, member of the Royal Irish Academy, drew contrasts between approaches. "China positions AI as a key tool for modernization and common prosperity, while in Western countries, capital-driven deployment has triggered widespread technological anxiety," he said.

Duan Wenjie, professor from East China University of Science and Technology presented experimental findings that illuminate the human-machine collaboration model. "AI should handle basic information collection and organization, while frontline social workers focus on deep emotional exploration and personalized intervention design," Duan said.

There was a consensus among participants that AI should complement rather than replace human-centered social work values, with unified industry standards urgently needed to address algorithmic bias and privacy concerns.