Session Title & Description: AI & Ethics: Beyond the Algorithm
As artificial intelligence tools become increasingly embedded in case documentation and decision-support workflows, social work practitioners need more than technical familiarity they need a framework for ethical vigilance. This interactive workshop moves beyond surface-level conversations about AI to examine the professional judgment, accountability, and equity considerations at stake when algorithmic tools intersect with practice. Grounded in the NASW Code of Ethics, the session equips attendees with a hands-on toolkit for recognizing bias, maintaining professional accountability, and using AI responsibly in everyday practice.
Speaker Bio:
Dr. LaSharia Turner currently serves as an Assistant Professor and Field Coordinator at Alabama A&M University. She holds both MSW and DSW degrees from the University of Alabama and has cultivated a dynamic career dedicated to advancing social work education and practice. Dr. Turner is a seasoned social work educator with specializations in children and adolescent mental health, trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, equity and inclusion, technology integration, elderly care, and civil rights advocacy. Her work focuses on identifying innovative strategies, particularly through advanced technology, to support diverse populations, including children and adolescents, individuals with disabilities, and survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. In addition to her focus on service delivery, Dr. Turner brings expertise in website development, graphic design, and app development to address systemic barriers in service delivery. Through a mezzo and macro lens, Dr. Turner is committed to empowering agencies and communities by integrating technology into social work practice and policy. Her unwavering dedication to innovation and equity continues to shape her work as both a practitioner and educator.