When you think of Artificial Intelligence (AI) what do you think?

1. Robot overlords lying in wait to take over the human race?
2. Another new development making human jobs obsolete?
3. A computer-based tool to support people in their everyday life?

Many people will think a or b but in reality, it is c.

AI is a set of technologies that enable computers to perform a variety of advanced functions to enhance the user experience. They are not sentient so are not able to take over the world, not without human help at least. Progress is inevitable, we are well into a new age of technological development. Some of the concerns around AI, would have been similar, to the concern of many at the dawn of the industrial revolution, yet without which, we would not now have trains or mechanized manufacturing.

AI is not new. AI software has been available for many years and support us in our daily life. You may have heard of Grammarly for instance, the software that identifies corrections in spelling and grammar. Or Microsoft accessibility features such as read aloud and dictate. In fact, read aloud and dictate features were originally only available through expensive software such as Read/Write and Claro Read. Now it is standard in many Microsoft and Adobe products for free.

The origins of some these types of software, came from the need to support people that either had a neurodivergent condition such as dyslexia or had an impairment such as a visual impairment. In order to create them, a different way of thinking was required, they would have come from someone who had unique problem-solving approaches and bold creativity. Someone Neurodivergent. In fact, if everyone thought the same way, we wouldn’t have these tools at all, although they now support everyone. I often use the dictate button to help me create a first draft of a document, then use the read aloud function whilst reading to help me to process writing quicker. I don’t have dyslexia, but there is nothing stopping me from using these handy tools.

The exciting thing is, large companies such as Microsoft are seeing the benefit of different thinkers such as neurodivergent people and are actively recruiting them in order to stay ahead. The fact that neurodivergent people have excellent pattern recognition, unique problem-solving skills and think creatively are essential in developing AI for the future. With the much-needed AI development we may finally see some real inclusion. It is shocking that only 3 in 10 of people with Autism Spectrum Condition are in paid work in the UK compared to 5 in ten of disabled people. (Gov.UK)

We as a society must stop excluding people just because they have some difference in behaviours and thinking, much as we need to embrace new tools designed to help us. Neurodiversity awareness is still much needed in many organisations, we must also apply what we know as a matter of urgency, in order to reap the wider societal benefits that neurodiversity brings.

If you or your organisation would like to start your journey to Neuroinclusion, please get in touch on coaching@3sc.org