AI and Neurodiversity: The Future of Work Is Personalised

• By Andy Williamson, Founder of Welcome Brain Consulting

Last week, I had the privilege of speaking at the Tech for Inclusion event hosted by This is Milk — a gathering of brilliant minds exploring how technology can create fairer, more accessible workplaces. I spoke about something we at Welcome Brain are deeply passionate about: how businesses can use AI to make life-changing adjustments for neurodivergent employees.

This talk accompanied the release of our new report: Neurodiversity and AI in the Workplace. It explores how AI can unlock potential, increase productivity, and foster inclusion — not only for neurodivergent employees, but for everyone.

Here are three key ideas from the report (and the talk) that I think every organisation needs to hear:

1. AI can remove barriers — if it's used intentionally

Neurodivergent employees often face challenges with executive function, communication, or sensory processing — not because they lack ability, but because workplaces aren’t designed with cognitive diversity in mind.

That’s where AI can help. Tools like automatic transcription, personalised task managers, or AI-powered mind mapping apps can support focus, reduce overwhelm, and make communication clearer. These aren’t "special" tools — they're productivity tools that work better when they're flexible.

But here's the catch: AI only helps if it’s implemented with inclusion in mind. If designed carelessly, it can reinforce bias or create new barriers. That's why ethical, user-informed design is so critical.

2. Neuroinclusive AI is a productivity strategy, not a “nice to have”

When employees are supported to work in ways that suit them, performance improves — significantly. JPMorgan Chase found that neurodivergent employees in their Autism at Work programme were 92% more productive than their peers in certain roles. Similarly, AI tools that support organisation and clarity have been shown to reduce cognitive load and increase engagement.

These aren't isolated success stories. They're evidence that inclusion leads to innovation, retention, and better business outcomes. AI simply makes it easier to scale that inclusion — tailoring the work environment to fit the person, not the other way around.

3. The future of neuroinclusion is flexible, human-led, and AI-assisted

AI is not a silver bullet. It can't replace empathy, thoughtful management, or a supportive culture. What it can do is amplify what's already working — giving neurodivergent employees more autonomy, lowering the barrier to disclosure, and enabling managers to support their teams with better insight.

At Welcome Brain, we believe the most inclusive workplaces of the future will be those that use AI to personalise support at scale while keeping humans at the heart of decision-making. Neurodiversity is a competitive advantage — and AI, used ethically, can help organisations fully realise it.

• Want to dive deeper?
  You can read the full Neurodiversity and AI in the Workplace report via the link here.

• If you’d like to talk about how your organisation can use AI for good — without falling into the common pitfalls — we’d love to help. Get in touch with us using the link here.