Moving Beyond AI Literacy: Why Social Workers Need AI Fluency
Inspired by a recent post on LinkedIn by Stacy Kratchovil, an AI Intergration Specialist in K-12 Education, I was deeply reflecting on the need for AI Fluency in the social work field. Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an integral part of our daily lives, and social work is no exception. Conversations about AI in our field often center around "AI literacy"—understanding what AI is, recognizing its strengths and limitations, and being aware of ethical concerns. While AI literacy is an essential starting point, it raises an important question: Is literacy enough? What should the long-term goal be for social workers engaging with AI?
Social work is fundamentally about supporting, advocating, and empowering individuals and communities. This mission is deeply human, emphasizing connection, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making. As we integrate AI into our practice, the focus should not simply be on knowing about AI, but on developing the ability to engage with it critically and strategically. The goal is not just proficiency in using AI, but fluency—an intuitive, thoughtful, and responsible integration of AI that enhances rather than diminishes the human aspects of our work.
From AI Literacy to AI Fluency:
AI literacy involves understanding the technology, its capabilities, and its limitations. It includes recognizing the potential for bias, being aware of ethical implications, and developing a foundational knowledge of how AI operates. This is the starting point for social workers new to AI, providing a basic framework for responsible use.
AI fluency, on the other hand, requires a deeper level of engagement. It means using AI as a strategic tool rather than a passive aid. Social workers with AI fluency actively question AI’s accuracy, assess its biases, and apply it in ways that align with professional values and ethical principles. They do not simply accept AI-generated insights at face value but critically analyze how these insights fit into their practice. Fluency ensures that AI is not a replacement for human judgment but a tool that enhances social work expertise, cultural competence, and advocacy efforts.
Building AI Fluency in Social Work
Advancing from AI literacy to AI fluency requires intentional investment in education, training, and professional development. Social workers need structured learning opportunities that go beyond AI awareness and focus on application, ethical decision-making, and critical evaluation. This involves more than just providing access to AI tools; it requires hands-on experience, guided reflection, and institutional support.
Integrating AI into social work supervision and decision-making is one critical pathway to developing fluency. Supervisors and educators should foster discussions about AI’s role in social work practice, encouraging practitioners to explore its possibilities while reinforcing professional judgment and ethical integrity. AI should be treated as a collaborative tool rather than a directive force, ensuring that social workers remain at the center of decision-making processes.
Developing AI fluency also means cultivating essential skills such as asking better questions, interpreting AI-generated data with a critical lens, and applying insights in meaningful ways. Universities and professional organizations must take the lead in offering AI ethics courses, real-world case studies, and training programs that emphasize the responsible use of AI in clinical, administrative, and advocacy settings.
Ethical and human-centered AI practice is another key consideration. AI should complement social work’s commitment to justice, equity, and human dignity rather than undermining it. Social workers must ensure that AI aligns with their professional values, reinforcing cultural humility, anti-oppressive practice, and client-centered decision-making. This requires ongoing dialogue about AI’s impact on vulnerable populations and a commitment to advocating for AI policies that protect human rights.
The Future of AI in Social Work
The future of AI in social work depends not just on technological advancements, but on how the profession chooses to engage with these tools. Moving beyond literacy and into fluency ensures that social workers remain leaders in ethical and human-centered AI implementation, rather than passive adopters of technology-driven change. AI fluency is about developing confidence in our own expertise while leveraging AI to enhance our ability to serve, advocate, and create meaningful social impact.
As social workers, how do we move from literacy to fluency? What policies, training opportunities, and systems need to be in place to support the development of AI skills within our profession? The conversation is just beginning, and it will require collective effort, thoughtful leadership, and a commitment to shaping AI’s role in social work with purpose and integrity.
The content in this blog was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed and edited by Dr. Marina Badillo-Diaz to ensure accuracy, relevance, and integrity. Dr. Badillo-Diaz's expertise and insightful oversight have been incorporated to ensure the content in this blog meets the standards of professional social work practice.