A new class blending knowledge from experts in AI, health, mental health, child welfare and aging launches in the Spring 2026 semester. Social Work 600 examines the integration of AI and emerging technologies into health and social services.
Students in Social Work 600 learn how to evaluate, develop and implement AI-driven solutions that enhance the delivery and effectiveness of human services. UWM students planning to work in a health or social services role after graduation, such as social work, nursing, or healthcare administration, will gain basic knowledge about the implications of AI in these fields.
“AI is providing an amazing opportunity for enhanced outcomes and productivity across many disciplines including health and social services,” Matt Friedel said.
Friedel is the co-founder of the Disruptive Technologies Laboratory at UWM, a Lubar Entrepreneurship Ideas Challenge Fellow and teaching faculty in the School of Information Studies. Friedel and Helen Bader Endowed Chair Colleen Galambos developed Social Work 600: Practical Applications of AI and Technology in Health and Social Services. Friedel will teach the class.
AI is providing an amazing opportunity for enhanced outcomes and productivity across many disciplines including health and social services.
“AI is a new tool that is rapidly being integrated in health and social services,” Galambos said. “This course will equip students with the knowledge they need to use AI in the workplace and to advocate for the use of it from an ethics and social justice stance.” She added that the class gives students an advantage in a competitive job market.
Friedel and Galambos developed Social Work 600 with a grant from the Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute, whose mission advances southeastern Wisconsin as a national hub for data science research, education, and talent development.
“The focus of the class is practical applications for emerging professionals – students who are interested in learning these new tools and highly marketable skills,” Freidel said.