Amid growing concerns about AI's impact on the workforce, a new opportunity is emerging for neurodivergent workers, including those with autism or ADHD. The International Monetary Fund recently warned that AI could affect 60% of American jobs. Still, it may also open doors for millions whose brains work differently.
Why It Matters: Approximately 50 million Americans are neurodivergent, and the unemployment rate among these individuals is around 40%, according to MIT Sloan Management Review. These overlooked workers possess valuable skills and qualifications, including college degrees.
Case in Point: Enabled Intelligence, an AI startup in Virginia, is harnessing this talent pool to work with the U.S. government. AI systems require vast amounts of data annotated by humans. This demand will continue to grow alongside the technology itself. For example, training AI to identify Russian fighter jets involves showing human-checked satellite images with and without jets and verifying if the AI correctly identifies them.
Neurodivergent individuals often excel in roles requiring hyper-focus, attention to detail, and puzzle-solving skills—traits essential for annotating military and government data. According to founder and CEO Peter Kant, over half of Enabled Intelligence's workforce is neurodivergent. The company is expanding its workforce and running a boot camp to train 100 neurodivergent individuals.
Zoom In: Enabled Intelligence provides a flexible and accommodating work environment to support its diverse workforce. This includes quiet areas for those who need a calm setting, active areas for those who prefer moving around, and flexible hours. Workers also have weekly access to an occupational coach for advice on managing tasks and social interactions.
Zoom Out: Major companies like JPMorgan Chase and Microsoft also recognize the value of neurodivergent employees. "We grossly underestimated the impact that having a neurodiverse worker on a team would have," Bryan Gill, global head of neurodiversity at JPMorgan Chase, told CNBC.