Social Work, Artificial Intelligence, and Leaving a Lasting Impact

Artificial intelligence doesn’t feel. Humans do. So how can we use this new technology to help human beings do emotional, meaningful, and long-lasting work? Katie Robbins, senior outreach coordinator in the Grace Abbott Training and Supervision Academy, created two custom GPTs that help answer this question.

As a participant in UNO’s ChatGPT Edu (formerly OpenAI Challenge), Robbins got creative building AI tools that help her manage a grant through the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN). “In academia, I think it’s important for us to really look at the positive and challenging changes happening in our world, and to approach them with curiosity and intentionality,” said Robbins. “Participating in the OpenAI Challenge was a way to thoughtfully explore how AI could be incorporated into my work.”

The Reflective Practice Compass & Sage: Two AI Use Cases

Inspiration for the two custom GPTs came from Robbins’ work with Project REST (Reflect and Explore in Supervision Training), where they provide resources, training, and consultation within an NU Advance course.

The first is The Reflective Practice Compass. This AI tool is built around the reflective practice supervision model in social work. It helps supervisors explore how to use the model with their supervisees, offering ideas and feedback grounded in the realities of social work and counseling. This model can help individuals stewarding highly emotional situations think more strategically about how they offer care.

The second, Sage, was designed for case consultation. Because clinical work is often complex, trauma-filled, and emotionally demanding, Sage draws on evidence-based treatment modalities, strategies for client engagement, and best practices for supervision—including how to provide tough feedback. It also knows when to redirect users toward seeking human consultation for more nuanced support.

“Both bots are designed as ‘first stops’ for problem-solving. Importantly, participants are also encouraged to use discussion boards to process the bots’ suggestions together and build collective insight,” Robbins said, which helps emphasize collaboration and discourage full trust in the AI tools without the addition of human critical thinking.

More Than Clinical Support

In addition to the custom GPTs, AI has been an especially helpful tool amidst daily tasks like brainstorming, editing emails and documents, and even designing new learning tools. Used for tasks both big and small, Robbins found multiple ways to maximize her time while providing better and more meaningful clinical experiences to the individuals she serves.

“In social work, we’re asking hard questions about the environmental cost of this technology and how to balance its use while keeping human connection at the heart of our work. I encourage people to treat AI as a companion or collaborator,” Robbins shares. “For me, it began simply by logging onto ChatGPT and starting a conversation.”

Robbins’ ideas grew from conversations she had at the AI Summit, hosted by the Division for Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives. It was there she felt challenged to stretch her expectations for AI and start experimenting with the technology for more specialized purposes. Learn how you can get access to ChatGPT Edu.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

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