A Global Call to Recognize Innovation and Technology That Serves People
Global initiative launches in October 2026 to celebrate ethical, inclusive and evidence-based uses of artificial intelligence that advance human wellbeing and social justice.
The Global Institute of Social Work (GISW), in collaboration with the International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD), International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW), Commonwealth Organisation for Social Work (COSW), International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) and The Social World Podcast, is launching the International Award for Innovation in Social Work and Social Development with Human-Centered AI.
The Award in one sentence:
Recognizing outstanding, real-world innovations that harness artificial intelligence to strengthen social work and social development practice—while protecting human dignity, advancing social justice, and keeping people at the center of every decision.
Guests Dr. Marina A. Badillo-Diaz, LCSW (She/Her/Hers)
Founder & CEO of MABDConsulting and The AI Social Worker
MABD Consulting An educational and social work consulting practice founded by Dr. Marina A. Badillo-Diaz. It trains educators, social workers, and agencies on the ethical integration of artificial intelligence (AI), social-emotional learning, and 21st-century skills. Learn more via MABD Consulting on Instagram or read her author profile at Berries AI
Marina and I discuss many aspects of this award. We are conscious of concerns that could be raised using AI, but both of us feel strongly that we cannot put the genie back in the bottle. So we must control and harness AI for good, and social work offers plenty of opportunities for that. Her work for years has involved educating, training, and promoting AI for good within social work. Her background in social work is extensive, and the demand for her work is substantial.
Much of the initiative for this award is down to a Professor Prof Ngoh Tiong TAN
President and Chair of the Global Institute of Social Work who will be a guest, along with many other distinguished colleagues from around the world, on podcasts developing the issues during the competition period.
The new international award will recognise practical applications of artificial intelligence that strengthen social work and social development while protecting human dignity, professional judgement, human rights, participation and social justice.
As AI develops faster than many governance frameworks can adapt, the award seeks to highlight innovations that demonstrate how technology can be deployed responsibly without reinforcing inequality, compromising privacy or diminishing human agency. Eligible innovations must use adaptive AI capabilities—including areas such as machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, expert systems or generative AI—and demonstrate their relevance to social work or social development.
Open to innovators worldwide
Nominations will be open globally to individual practitioners, NGOs, public service administrations, academic institutions and multidisciplinary teams. Projects must have been actively implemented for at least nine months before submission. Applications may address four broad areas:
- Direct casework, clinical practice and mental health;
- Social development and community intervention;
- Policy, services, administration and advocacy; and
- Education, research and workforce training.
The award places social impact ahead of technological complexity. Entries will be assessed on demonstrated impact and practical application, ethical integrity and social justice, participatory co-design, accessibility and equity, and governance, human oversight and sustainability. Applicants will be expected to provide quantitative and qualitative evidence of outcomes, including reach, wellbeing, service access, inclusion and sustainability.
A central requirement is meaningful human oversight and accountability, including mechanisms for review, error escalation and institutional responsibility for decisions involving AI. Applicants must also address issues including informed consent, transparency, environmental impact, community co-design and safeguards for vulnerable groups.
2026–2027 Award Timeline
The Call for Nominations opened October 2026, with submissions closing on 31 December 2026. Screening and panel review will take place in January 2027, with finalists selected by 15 February 2027. Up to 10 shortlisted finalists will present their innovations at a hybrid international public forum during the World Social Work Day period in March 2027.
The prize structure includes USD $5,000 for the Overall Winner, USD $3,000 for the 1st Runner-up and USD $2,000 for the 2nd Runner-up, alongside potential non-monetary recognition including mentorship, international speaking opportunities and academic or professional publication support.
Applicants will retain ownership of their intellectual property, while projects involving unethical data profiling or human rights violations will be disqualified. Commercial sponsors will not be permitted to influence judging, criteria, shortlisting or winner selection.
The Global Institute of Social Work (GISW) is a virtual international organization that delivers accessible, cost-effective, and culturally appropriate social work training and educational resources globally
Download the application form from