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Writer's pictureSocial Work AI Magic

Informed Consent – A Crucial Pillar for Responsible AI Use in Social Work




As we near the end of our six-part series on practical and responsible AI use in social work, it's time to discuss a fundamental yet often overlooked principle: informed consent. This is the fifth pillar of our series, and while it may seem obvious to many social workers, it's a critical component that needs to be thoroughly understood and implemented, especially in the context of AI.


Understanding Informed Consent in AI


Informed consent is all about transparency. As social workers, therapists, counselors, or clinicians, we need to ensure that our clients are completely aware of the work we're doing together, including the decision to use AI tools. This includes informing them about what AI is, how it might be used in their case, and what the potential benefits and risks may be.


Key Points About Informed Consent


1. Transparency: Clients should know that AI is being used. They need to understand why it's being used and how it will impact their case.

2. Benefits and Risks: Explain the potential benefits, such as faster response times or potentially more efficient service delivery. At the same time, discuss the risks, including biases and confidentiality issues that can come along with the use of AI.

3. Compliance: Ensure that your use of AI is in line with your organization’s policies and procedures. If these do not exist, get explicit permission and maintain open communication with supervisors.

4. DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT!: Document the informed consent process meticulously. This includes the information shared with the client and their explicit consent to use AI.


Adapting to Change


Given the dynamic nature of AI technology, it’s crucial to be adaptable. Both you and your client should understand that the decision to use AI can be revisited at any time. If it’s not working as expected or if new risks emerge, you can go back to tried and true traditional methods of case manahgement.


Conclusion


As we all know, informed consent is a cornerstone of ethical social work practice, especially when integrating new technologies like AI. By ensuring transparency, discussing benefits and risks, complying with organizational policies, and documenting the process, you can responsibly use AI in your work.



Stay tuned for the final video in our series, where we’ll discuss the last pillar of practical and responsible AI use in social work! Keep using AI responsibly, and I'll see you in the next one!


Have you started using AI in your practice yet?

  • FOR SURE!

  • NOPE

  • NOT YET, BUT I'M THINKING ABOUT IT

  • NEVER!



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