Participatory Governance, Social Work and Policy in Times of AI: Voices That Matter

Participatory Governance, Social Work and Social Policy explores the intersection of participatory governance, inclusive social welfare, social work, and artificial intelligence in the transformation of social services systems worldwide. Participatory Governance, Social Work and Social Policy in Times of AI explores the intersection of participatory governance, inclusive social welfare, social work, and artificial intelligence in the transformation of social services systems worldwide. Rooted in the experiences and insights of professionals such as experts, policy practitioners, and civic innovators, this book provides a timely examination of how digital tools, especially AI, are reshaping civic engagement, helping professions such as social work, democratic accountability, and welfare systems worldwide. Based on the outcomes of the Ronda meetings of experts in 2024 and 2025, as well as a UN side event seminar aligned with the annual session of the Commission for Social Development in 2025, this volume offers theoretical grounding, comparative case studies, and practical recommendations. Addressing global trends such as post-COVID recovery, climate transitions, population ageing, and digital transformation, with a special focus on ensuring inclusivity, equity, and ethical use of AI, it also analyses the problems related to social protection and social services in different contexts, with special attention to the challenges faced by local administrations, which, in many countries, are responsible for the provision of social services. This book is essential reading for all scholars, students, and professionals in social work, social policy, and governance who seek to build welfare systems that are not only technologically advanced but also equitable, transparent, and genuinely responsive to community needs.