Utilization of artificial intelligence: student experiences in social work educational programs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25128/2520-6230.26.5.10Keywords:
artificial intelligence (AI), social work, academic integrity, professional identity, prompting, educational programs, AI ethicsAbstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is gradually becoming an integral component of contemporary education and professional training, particularly in the field of social work. The relevance of this study is determined by the need to develop systematic approaches for integrating AI in Ukrainian higher education institutions amid digitalization and wartime challenges.
The aim of the study was to identify current practices and challenges in AI usage among higher education students in social work programs and to develop practical recommendations. The theoretical framework combines social constructivism, the concept of academic integrity, and the lens of professional identity, enabling a comprehensive analysis of students’ AI practices in social work education.
The study was conducted at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv using a quantitative descriptive-analytical design. Data were collected through a survey questionnaire. The sample included 93 participants — students from three levels of higher education in the Social Work program.
The results revealed a high level of AI integration into the educational process: approximately 80% of respondents actively use these tools, primarily to save time (48.5%). Currently, AI is perceived by students as a “homework assistant,” facilitating information retrieval and text preparation. Issues related to academic integrity were identified: students expressed a need for clear institutional guidelines, yet more than half (50.5%) reported the absence of general regulations. The most critical finding for professional training in social work is the low level of awareness regarding the potential loss of soft skills and decreased capacity for empathy.
Based on the findings, recommendations were formulated to improve educational programs by fostering a culture of responsible and ethical AI use. These include the development of institutional transparency policies (including training in “conscious control” and guidelines following the GAIDeT model), updating curriculum content
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