Integration of artificial intelligence into gender-sensitive social work with adolescents and their parents: opportunities for career counseling and vocational guidance support in educational institutions in the context of digital transformation

Abstract

The article explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into social work practices within educational settings, with a particular focus on supporting the career self-determination of adolescents from vulnerable groups. It analyzes both international and domestic approaches to the application of AI in education, career counseling, and gender-sensitive social work. The necessity of combining digital technologies with ethical support provided by specialists is substantiated. An interdisciplinary model is presented, merging pedagogy, social work, gender studies, and educational technologies, aiming to offer personalized support to adolescents through AI tools. The role of the social work specialist is emphasized as a key integrator of digital solutions and human interaction, ensuring inclusivity, humanism, and professional effectiveness in counseling.

Key challenges are identified, including limited access to quality career counseling for vulnerable youth, underdeveloped digital infrastructure in schools, and the absence of gender components in existing educational programs.

The purpose of the study is to develop and theoretically substantiate the structure of a model for integrating AI into social work practice with adolescents, focused on supporting their career self-determination.

Methodologically, the article is grounded in interdisciplinary, constructivist, and systemic approaches. The proposed model consists of five functional blocks: diagnostic-assessment, career-guidance and support, psychoeducational, communication and mediation, and monitoring and evaluation. In each of these, AI acts as a support tool that enhances the capabilities of the social work specialist while preserving the principles of inclusion, humanism, and gender equity.

Analysis of current research and examples from international practice suggests that the combination of digital tools with human interaction holds the greatest potential for adolescent career guidance. The article also outlines future research directions, including empirical testing of the model, development of standards for gender-sensitive digital services, and training of social workers to operate effectively in new digital environments.

The integration of artificial intelligence into social work in the educational field opens new opportunities for supporting the career self-determination of adolescents, particularly those from vulnerable social groups. The proposed interdisciplinary model demonstrates that effective implementation of AI is only possible when technological solutions are combined with a humanistic approach, ethical support, and active involvement of social work professionals.

The defined structural blocks of the model enable flexible adaptation to various educational contexts, providing for needs assessment, individualized support, psychoeducation, mediation, and change monitoring. Particular attention is paid to gender-sensitive analysis, which is emphasized as a mandatory component of modern digital services.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, gender-sensitive social work, career counseling, career guidance, digital transformation.