When social workers were asked what they need most to use artificial intelligence well, the answer wasn’t more tools — it was clearer ethical guidance. A national survey of social workers found that two-thirds say the profession’s most pressing AI need is ethical guidelines, stronger client protections and more training.
The survey, conducted by the Moritz Center for Societal Impact in coordination with the National Association of Social Workers, gathered responses from 1,179 social workers nationwide between October 2025 and February 2026.The findings were discussed this week at the NASW National Conference in Washington, D.C.
Nearly two-thirds of respondents reported using AI in their current role, most often for routine tasks like correspondence, reports and documentation. But the survey also found AI moving into more sensitive areas of practice, including clinical documentation and client-intervention tools, raising concerns among practitioners about privacy, informed consent and the limits of automation in a profession built on human relationships.
“The results depict a profession characterized by cautious engagement rather than uncritical adoption,” the report states. “The widespread call for clearer guidance, training and regulation signals not resistance to change, but rather a strong desire for professional leadership and intentional governance.”
Social work is one of the most versatile and essential components of the nation’s health and human services workforce, spanning clinical and mental health services, child and family welfare, healthcare, school social work, substance use treatment, gerontology and community advocacy.
“Many social workers are using AI to alleviate administrative demands, speed up documentation processes, and support routine professional tasks,” said Dr. Elisa Borah, director of the Moritz Center for Societal Impact. “Practitioners are asking for leadership: clear ethical standards, stronger client protections and training that keeps pace with the tools they’re already using. This survey also shows real concern about where the line is, who sets it and what happens when technology enters spaces that require human discernment, accountability and care.”
The full report, “Use of Artificial Intelligence in Social Work Practice: Findings and Recommendations from a National Survey,” is available from the Moritz Center for Societal Impact.