The place of artificial intelligence in social work science and profession: The case of Türkiye

This thesis aims to comprehensively examine the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in social work science and practice, addressing its impact on education, professional applications, and ethical considerations. In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, human-centered professions like social work are experiencing significant transformations. This research aims to understand how AI influences social work by focusing on its potential benefits and risks through qualitative and quantitative data collected from social workers, social work graduate students, and social work academicians. The study employs an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. Quantitative findings served as a foundation for qualitative study, guiding the content analysis of qualitative data. The theoretical framework is rooted in ecological systems theory, which facilitates an understanding of AI's role in the interactions between individuals, their environments, and broader systems. This perspective highlights how AI can shape relationships and dynamics across various levels of social work practice. The research identifies numerous opportunities for integrating AI into social work. In education, AI technologies such as simulations and virtual reality provide innovative and immersive learning experiences. In professional practice, AI shows promise in areas like risk assessment, intervention planning, and efficient service delivery. However, the study also underscores critical challenges, including ethical dilemmas, data privacy issues, and the potential for algorithmic bias and discrimination. Findings reveal that while AI has the potential to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of social work, it also necessitates a rigorous ethical framework to mitigate risks. The study contributes to the discourse on integrating AI into social work by providing practical recommendations aligned with sustainable development goals via maslaha perspective. By balancing innovation with ethical responsibility, this research highlights the transformative potential of AI in advancing social work science and profession. Keywords: Social Work, Artificial Intelligence, Social Good, Scientific and Professional Benefit