TL;DR:
- UK research shows neurodiverse workers 25% more satisfied with AI assistants than neurotypical colleagues
- AI tools address executive function, time management, and communication challenges
- Organisations investing in AI governance see 1.6x higher ROI on AI investments
Neurodiverse professionals are experiencing unique benefits from artificial intelligence workplace tools, with research suggesting AI creates a more level playing field for workers with conditions including ADHD, autism, and dyslexia.
Bridging Workplace Gaps
A recent study from the UK’s Department for Business and Trade found that neurodiverse workers were 25% more satisfied with AI assistants and more likely to recommend the tools than neurotypical respondents.
Tara DeZao, senior director of product marketing at Pega and an adult diagnosed with combination-type ADHD, describes how AI tools address long-standing workplace challenges: “Standing up and walking around during a meeting means that I’m not taking notes, but now AI can come in and synthesize the entire meeting into a transcript and pick out the top-level themes.”
Skills That Complement AI
AI tools prove particularly effective for skills like communication, time management, and executive functioning—areas where neurodiverse individuals may require additional support. This creates built-in benefits for workers who’ve previously had to “white-knuckle” their way through business environments not designed with them in mind.
Research suggests that organisations prioritising neurodiversity inclusivity generate nearly one-fifth higher revenue, driven by skills that neurodiverse individuals bring: hyperfocus, creativity, empathy, and niche expertise.
Ethical Implementation Considerations
Kristi Boyd, an AI specialist with the SAS data ethics practice, highlighted three key risks organisations must address: competing needs across different neurodiverse conditions, unconscious bias in algorithms, and inappropriate disclosure of diagnoses.
SAS research found that companies investing most in AI governance and guardrails were 1.6 times more likely to see at least double ROI on AI investments. Boyd emphasised that “investing in ethical guardrails, like those that protect and aid neurodivergent workers, is not just the right thing to do. It’s a smart way to make good on your organisation’s AI investments.”
Looking Forward
As businesses take accountability for AI tool impact, Boyd recommends including diverse voices at all stages, implementing regular audits, and establishing safe channels for employees to anonymously report issues.
The nonprofit Humane Intelligence recently launched its Bias Bounty Challenge, focusing on building “more inclusive communication platforms—especially for users with cognitive differences, sensory sensitivities or alternative communication styles.”
Source: CNBC