Navigating the AI Frontier: Social Work Educators’ Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence Integration in Higher Education

Background and Purpose: The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) within educational settings presents new opportunities and complex ethical dilemmas for social work educators. As frontline gatekeepers of professional values, educators must balance innovation with critical concerns about pedagogy, ethics, and equity. This study explores social work instructors’ attitudes, experiences, and perceived needs related to AI integration in higher education. Method: A national survey of 108 social work educators was conducted to assess their familiarity with AI tools, the presence of institutional policy guidance, classroom integration, and concerns regarding ethical implications. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlations, and inferential tests. Results: Seventy percent of participants reported moderate to high comfort with AI tools, particularly ChatGPT and Grammarly. However, 64% noted a lack of clear departmental or institutional guidance. While 72% had added AI-related language to their syllabi, only 20% found institutional policies to be “very helpful.” Participants cited benefits including enhanced administrative efficiency (71%), improved student engagement (51%), and support for personalized learning (46%). Conversely, primary concerns included academic integrity (73%), over-reliance on AI (58%), and diminished critical thinking (53%). Educators who felt “very comfortable” with AI were significantly more likely to incorporate these tools into coursework (p < .01), and educators with more than 10 years of experience were more concerned about AI’s effects on human connection in clinical training (p < .05). Increased confidence in the use of AI correlated with a greater likelihood of addressing AI ethics and bias in class discussions. Conclusions: Social work educators cautiously embrace AI and navigate its promise and risks in real-time. The findings emphasize the need for clear institutional frameworks, tailored faculty training, and ethically grounded guidance to ensure responsible integration. As AI becomes embedded in education, the social work profession must lead with a values-based approach that safeguards relational practice and advances digital equity.