The Future of a Community Support Worker

With the increasing prevalence of technology, it is possible that the role of a community support worker may expand and change with the shifting times. With the expansion of access to technology and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), it is possible that the role of a CSW could shift to reach more remote communities and individuals. Of course, not all people have access to a cell phone or computer, especially more vulnerable populations, yet it seems this may become increasingly possible. Take a moment to think creatively about how the role of a CSW could change in the future.

Technology allows people to connect and provide supports for those living in remote areas, those incarcerated, and those who are ill or unable to easily access community services. While face to face interaction is the best, the ability to reach more people and provide support to groups, communities, and individuals in all locations and situations expands with technology. Many initiatives are working to see how AI can identify gaps in the system and provide outreach to more clients. According to Neacsu (2023), AI may reduce bias by analyzing historical data and identifying patterns of discrimination or unfair treatment, in addition to using diverse data sources and algorithms that take into account different perspectives and experiences. The use of AI in this way could improve policy and reduce systemic barriers.

Another idea put forth by Do Good AI is the potential for AI to assist invisible populations, which includes those who may be undocumented, have legal issues, or a feel a deep mistrust of agencies and therefore do not seek out traditional help. Do Good AI believes that through data analysis, more people who need help can be identified and offered non-human services. This will allow frontline workers to anticipate and find solutions to problems rather than reacting to social issues. Of course, this mass collection of data through technology comes with privacy risks that would have to be addressed. Do Good AI (para. 18) summarized some key ethical concerns as follows: Privacy and data protection, consent and transparency, bias and fairness, and lastly, human oversight. As the use of AI in the field is relatively new, it will be interesting to see how it develops over the next few years, and the impact it has on the role of a CSW.

References

Do Good Ai. (2024). The big idea behind AI and social work. https://www.dogoodai.org/ai-blog/the-big-idea-behind-ai-and-social-work.

Neacsu, I. (2023, March 25). The power of AI: How it’s transforming social work practice. https://www.innovativesocialwork.com/post/the-power-of-ai-how-it-s-transforming-social-work-practice