Ethical and Meaningful Integration of ICT and Artificial Intelligence in Social Work Education

Abstract

This teaching innovation project aims to integrate Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a relevant and meaningful way into the Social Work program at the Santo Tomás Professional Institute. The initiative seeks to strengthen digital competencies and enhance the professional preparation of both teachers and students by promoting an ethical, critical, and contextualized use of emerging technologies. A diagnostic phase was conducted through surveys administered to 7 instructors and 52 students, using Likert scales adapted from Agreda et al. (2016). Based on this analysis, two main products were developed: a dossier of ICT + AI tools classified according to pedagogical functions, and an ethical regulatory protocol designed to guide responsible AI use in academic settings. Findings revealed that although instructors show a positive attitude toward ICT, they possess limited mastery of AI for pedagogical purposes. Students reported intensive use of AI tools, particularly ChatGPT, yet demonstrated limited ethical awareness. The implementation of both resources enhanced participation, learning quality, and digital equity within the program. Overall, the experience contributed to establishing a replicable model that supports the ethical and reflective integration of emerging technologies in social work education.