Studying the Potential of VR and AI to Train Social Work Students

A study conducted by researchers at the NYU Silver School of Social Work in collaboration with colleagues from NYU Tandon School of Engineering and NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development assesses the potential of virtual reality simulation informed by artificial intelligence to simulate an interaction with a patient for social work students.

This research builds upon the collaborative design and research work between NYU Silver School of Social Work and the NYU Research and Instructional Technology group. That study, conducted by Nicholas Lanzieri, Elizabeth McAlpin, David Shilane, and Henry Samelson, found that learning could be enhanced by immersing social work students in a VR environment that simulated the real-world experience of interacting with a patient in an office setting. 

The most recent study, led by Clinical Associate Professor Nicholas Lanzieri and Clinical Associate Professor and Assistant Dean of Practicum Education & Community Partnerships Anne Dempsey, along with colleagues at Steinhardt and Tandon, investigates what role artificial intelligence can play in further evolving the VR simulation.

Learn more about both research projects via the links below.