From Casework to Algowork: Artificial Intelligence and the Reimagining of Social Workers’ Roles, Skills, and Professional Competencies

Introduction: In January 2025, the Future of Jobs Report issued by the World Economic Forum highlighted that artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies will bring about profound transformations in the global labor market. These shifts are expected to result in the disappearance of certain occupations and the emergence of others that require new skills, thereby reshaping the very nature of work worldwide. Social work is not exempt from these transformations, as practitioners face both challenges and opportunities that necessitate a redefinition of professional roles, practices, and competencies that are in alignment with the demands of the digital age.Objective: In the contemporary era, social work is undergoing profound transformations driven by the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, which have reshaped the nature of jobs, modes of practice, and requirements for professional competencies. Against this backdrop, the present study is guided by a central question: How will AI reshape the future of social work employment, through the transition from traditional Casework to what can be termed Algowork—a form of professional practice increasingly mediated by algorithms and data? The study aims to explore the implications of AI for traditional social work roles, analyze the shifts in patterns of professional intervention and practice, and anticipate the future skills and competencies required to adapt to intelligent work environments.