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Ethical Aspects of AI-use in Social Services: A Qualitative Study Based on Civil Servants’ Perspectives

Rezaie, Jawid LU ; Maslesa, Anel LU and Curbi, Aileen LU (2025) SYSK16 20251
Department of Informatics
Abstract
This bachelor’s thesis explores the ethical challenges associated with the use of Artificial
Intelligence (AI) in municipal social services in the Skåne region of Sweden. As AI
technologies are increasingly adopted to improve efficiency and support decision-making, it is
important to understand how ethical principles are upheld in practice. The study aimed to
identify these challenges and examine how they are recognized, interpreted, and managed by
municipal civil servants. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through interviews
with five civil servants and analysed thematically. The findings revealed six key ethical
considerations: fairness and equity, bias and non-discrimination, transparency and
explainability,... (More)
This bachelor’s thesis explores the ethical challenges associated with the use of Artificial
Intelligence (AI) in municipal social services in the Skåne region of Sweden. As AI
technologies are increasingly adopted to improve efficiency and support decision-making, it is
important to understand how ethical principles are upheld in practice. The study aimed to
identify these challenges and examine how they are recognized, interpreted, and managed by
municipal civil servants. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through interviews
with five civil servants and analysed thematically. The findings revealed six key ethical
considerations: fairness and equity, bias and non-discrimination, transparency and
explainability, accountability and professional responsibility, human oversight, and the
importance of avoiding harm while maximizing welfare. The limitations of AI in addressing
individual needs, the risk of reinforcing societal biases, and the need for human judgment in
decision-making was emphasized. AI was seen as a useful tool, but one that must remain
subordinate to professional expertise. Based on these insights, the bachelor’s thesis offers
practical suggestions to mitigate ethical challenges, including ethical AI training for municipal
staff, clear guidelines and protocols for AI use, human oversight at all decision points,
transparency and explainability from technology providers, and engaging civil servants in the
design and ongoing development of AI-powered systems. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Rezaie, Jawid LU ; Maslesa, Anel LU and Curbi, Aileen LU
supervisor
organization
course
SYSK16 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, Social Service, AI Ethics, Sweden
language
English
additional info
Intervjutranskription är inte inkluderad i den publicerade uppsatsen.
id
9199177
date added to LUP
2025-06-16 11:00:13
date last changed
2025-06-16 11:00:13
@misc{9199177,
  abstract     = {{This bachelor’s thesis explores the ethical challenges associated with the use of Artificial
Intelligence (AI) in municipal social services in the Skåne region of Sweden. As AI
technologies are increasingly adopted to improve efficiency and support decision-making, it is
important to understand how ethical principles are upheld in practice. The study aimed to
identify these challenges and examine how they are recognized, interpreted, and managed by
municipal civil servants. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through interviews
with five civil servants and analysed thematically. The findings revealed six key ethical
considerations: fairness and equity, bias and non-discrimination, transparency and
explainability, accountability and professional responsibility, human oversight, and the
importance of avoiding harm while maximizing welfare. The limitations of AI in addressing
individual needs, the risk of reinforcing societal biases, and the need for human judgment in
decision-making was emphasized. AI was seen as a useful tool, but one that must remain
subordinate to professional expertise. Based on these insights, the bachelor’s thesis offers
practical suggestions to mitigate ethical challenges, including ethical AI training for municipal
staff, clear guidelines and protocols for AI use, human oversight at all decision points,
transparency and explainability from technology providers, and engaging civil servants in the
design and ongoing development of AI-powered systems.}},
  author       = {{Rezaie, Jawid and Maslesa, Anel and Curbi, Aileen}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Ethical Aspects of AI-use in Social Services: A Qualitative Study Based on Civil Servants’ Perspectives}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}