People with neurodivergent conditions such as ADHD, autism, or dyslexia are finding genuine support in artificial intelligence (AI) tools that help them in the workplace. According to a recent study by the UK Department for Business and Trade, neurodivergent workers are 25% more satisfied with AI assistants than those without these conditions. They are also more likely to recommend such tools to their colleagues. AI is thus creating a more level playing field where they previously had to adapt to a world designed for others.
Tara DeZao, senior director of product marketing at Pega, a company specializing in low-code platforms, was not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood. She has combined-type ADHD, which includes attention-related difficulties such as time management and executive functioning, as well as hyperactive traits such as the need to move around. She says she had been powering through the business world "by sheer force," but AI tools are now helping her significantly. For example, during meetings, when she gets up and walks around, she cannot take notes. AI, however, can create a transcript of the entire meeting and identify the main topics.
Benefits of AI for Everyday Work
AI tools in the workplace cover a wide range of tasks, from taking notes and scheduling meetings to supporting internal communication. Generative AI excels in areas such as communication, time management, and executive functioning, making it ideal for neurodivergent people who previously had to adapt to a workplace culture that was not designed with them in mind. Neurodivergent individuals bring strengths to the workplace such as hyperfocus, creativity, empathy, and specialized knowledge. According to some research, companies that support inclusion in this area achieve nearly one-fifth higher revenue.
Tara DeZao describes her ADHD diagnosis as the moment when "someone turned on the light in a dark room." In today’s hyperconnected world, multitasking is a major challenge, but for her, with her type of ADHD, it is almost impossible. AI allows her to enter instructions and let the tool work independently while she focuses on her task. If a new request comes in via Slack or Teams, it disrupts her train of thought. Now she can quickly hand such a request over to AI, which processes it while she continues working. This is an enormous relief for her.
Risks of Implementing AI
Kristi Boyd, an AI specialist in the data ethics practice at SAS, says that investing in ethical safeguards that protect neurodivergent workers is not only the right thing to do, but also the smart thing to do. According to a SAS study, companies that invest the most in AI governance and safeguards achieve a 1.6 times higher return on their AI investments. Boyd highlights three main risks: conflicting needs, unconscious bias, and inappropriate disclosure.
Different neurodivergent conditions may have conflicting requirements. For example, people with dyslexia may use document readers, while those with bipolar disorder or other mental health conditions may appreciate AI support with scheduling to maximize productive periods. Organizations should acknowledge these conflicts and offer layered customization or options that ensure equity and inclusion.
Regarding unconscious bias in AI, algorithms can inadvertently be trained to associate neurodivergence with danger, illness, or negativity, as described by research from Duke University. Even today, neurodivergent people face discrimination in the workplace, so it is important for companies to provide safe ways to use AI without requiring employees to disclose their diagnosis publicly.
The Future of AI for Inclusion
Companies should include diverse voices at every stage of AI implementation, conduct regular audits, and allow problems to be reported anonymously, says Kristi Boyd. The work of making AI deployment more equitable, including supporting neurodivergent people, is only just beginning. Humane Intelligence, a nonprofit organization focused on AI for social good, launched the Bias Bounty Challenge in October. Participants identify biases with the goal of creating more inclusive communication platforms, particularly for users with cognitive differences, sensory sensitivities, or alternative communication styles.
Emotion AI, which identifies human emotions, helps people who have difficulty recognizing emotions understand their conversation partners on video conferencing platforms such as Zoom. However, this technology requires careful attention to bias so that AI recognizes different communication patterns accurately and fairly instead of embedding harmful assumptions.
Source: cnbc.com
