Explore the intersection of AI, social media, and social work in this thought-provoking lecture by Professor Desmond U. Patton. Delve into the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on online communities and the exacerbation of social inequalities. Examine how AI and data science can be leveraged to address challenges faced by vulnerable populations in our increasingly digital world. Discover groundbreaking research on the relationship between youth violence, gang activity, and social media expression. Learn about innovative qualitative and computational data collection methods used to analyze online behavior. Gain insights into the real-world implications of social media expressions on the well-being of youth, particularly those from low-income and minority ethnic backgrounds. Understand the potential of AI in social work and its role in addressing societal challenges in the digital age.