Flaherty, H. B., & Krishnan, P. (2026).
Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work,
23(1), 215–229.
Abstract
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into mental health care presents both profound opportunities and pressing ethical responsibilities for the social work profession. As social workers strive to deliver equitable, client-centered, and evidence-based care, AI offers tools to enhance diagnostic accuracy, streamline treatment planning, and increase access to current research. However, adopting AI also raises critical concerns, including algorithmic bias, data privacy, and the potential erosion of human-centered practice. This editorial argues that social workers have an ethical imperative to engage with AI technologies and proactively shape their development and application to align with the profession’s values. By actively participating in interdisciplinary AI initiatives, advocating for transparency and inclusion, and ensuring that AI tools are used to support rather than supplant human judgment, social workers can help ensure that technological innovation serves the diverse needs of clients and communities. The editorial concludes by outlining key areas for social work leadership, including research translation, equitable AI access, and ethical governance, emphasizing that the future of mental health care depends on ethically grounded, socially responsible innovation.
Here are some thoughts:
This article is important to psychologists because it articulates a compelling ethical imperative for mental health professionals to thoughtfully engage with artificial intelligence as a tool to enhance, rather than replace, evidence-based practice. The authors highlight how AI can help bridge the persistent 17-year gap between research discovery and clinical implementation, support more precise diagnostic assessments, and personalize treatment planning, capabilities directly relevant to psychological practice. At the same time, the article underscores critical ethical considerations psychologists must navigate, including algorithmic bias, data privacy, informed consent, and preserving the therapeutic alliance. By framing AI literacy and responsible integration as professional obligations aligned with core ethical principles (competence, social justice, and client welfare) the article encourages mental health professionals to proactively shape AI's development and application, ensuring technological innovation serves diverse client needs while safeguarding human-centered care.
