Neurodiversity and AI: How Emerging Technology Can Empower or Further Marginalize Autistic and ADHD People
Bridgette Hamstead
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the way we work, learn, and interact with the world. For neurodivergent individuals, particularly those who are autistic or have ADHD, AI holds the potential to be either a transformative tool for accessibility and empowerment or a mechanism that deepens systemic barriers. As with all technological advancements, its impact depends on how it is designed, implemented, and integrated into daily life.
For many neurodivergent people, AI offers unprecedented levels of support in navigating executive functioning challenges, communication barriers, and information processing differences. AI-driven scheduling tools, automated reminders, and organizational apps provide structure and assistance that can help ADHD individuals manage tasks, deadlines, and priorities more effectively. Autistic individuals who struggle with verbal communication or social cues may find AI-powered speech-to-text software, predictive text features, and virtual assistants particularly useful in bridging gaps in communication. AI can facilitate greater autonomy by mitigating some of the daily cognitive demands that neurodivergent individuals often find exhausting, allowing them to focus more on their strengths and passions.
Beyond administrative support, AI has the potential to create more inclusive workplaces and learning environments. Adaptive technologies, such as AI-powered closed captioning, voice recognition, and sensory-friendly interface customization, make digital spaces more accessible. AI-driven hiring platforms, when designed correctly, could reduce bias in recruitment by focusing on skills and competencies rather than traditional, often neurotypical-centered, social and communication expectations. Workplaces can also use AI to analyze patterns of burnout and productivity, making it possible to create more flexible and supportive environments for neurodivergent employees.
However, the integration of AI into society is not without its risks, particularly for marginalized communities. AI systems are only as fair as the data and human biases that shape them. Many AI-driven hiring tools have been found to favor neurotypical candidates due to algorithms that prioritize conventional social behaviors and interview performance. Automated screening tools that penalize non-traditional communication styles disproportionately exclude autistic and ADHD individuals from job opportunities, reinforcing existing inequities. Additionally, AI surveillance technologies used in workplaces and schools can become a tool of discrimination, punishing those who move, stim, or engage in behavior that falls outside neurotypical norms.
AI's reliance on predictive modeling and data-driven decision-making also raises concerns about privacy and autonomy for neurodivergent individuals. The increasing use of AI in mental health assessments and workplace monitoring means that neurodivergent people could face heightened scrutiny and misinterpretation of their behaviors. If AI is used to flag individuals for interventions based on rigid behavioral norms, it risks perpetuating the pathologization of neurodivergent traits rather than fostering genuine understanding and support.
The ethical development of AI must include neurodivergent perspectives from the outset. Developers, policymakers, and organizations integrating AI into their systems must work with neurodivergent individuals to ensure that AI serves as a tool for empowerment rather than exclusion. AI-driven solutions should be designed with universal accessibility in mind, prioritizing customization, flexibility, and transparency. Hiring algorithms, for example, should be programmed to recognize diverse communication styles rather than filtering candidates based on neurotypical performance metrics. Digital accessibility should not be an afterthought but a core component of AI's evolution.
As an AuDHD person, I have personally found AI to be an incredibly useful tool in managing administrative tasks, running a non-profit, and handling day-to-day responsibilities. AI helps me structure my workflow, streamline communication, and compensate for executive functioning challenges that might otherwise slow me down. When used thoughtfully, AI can be an equalizer, reducing the cognitive load and creating more equitable opportunities for neurodivergent individuals. However, it is crucial that AI is not left to evolve unchecked in ways that reinforce existing ableism and discrimination.
AI has the power to be either a bridge or a barrier for neurodivergent individuals. Its role in shaping the future of accessibility, employment, and daily life will depend on how intentionally it is designed and deployed. It is not enough to simply adopt AI; we must critically examine its applications and ensure that it serves as a force for inclusion, not exclusion. Neurodivergent individuals must be included in conversations about AI ethics, accessibility, and innovation to ensure that this technology enhances rather than restricts our autonomy and potential.