Tech Alone Won’t Solve Our Barriers in Employment!

This week I share a short video and post highlighting the incredible work of Temple Grandin and how we can learn a lot today from her innovative work in animal management.

In the ever-evolving world of AI, machine learning, and countless tech solutions claiming to revolutionise industries, one truth stands firm:

Technology alone will not fix our problems.

A powerful reminder of this comes from Temple Grandin, whose pioneering work in cattle management has a valuable lesson for us all.

Temple Grandin, a pioneering advocate for neurodiversity and an autistic individual herself, transformed the world of animal welfare by leveraging her unique cognitive strengths.

Her ability to think visually allowed her to design more humane livestock handling systems, emphasising the need for accessibility and practical solutions in her work.

Grandin’s story highlights how embracing neurodiversity can lead to groundbreaking innovations, underscoring the importance of inclusive design in both technology and leadership.

Grandin's approach was far from just creating innovative designs; it was about understanding the needs of the animals, seeing the world through their eyes, and integrating technology that worked with them, rather than just on them.

One of her key breakthroughs was removing unnecessary stress factors, such as eliminating shadows or slippery surfaces that frightened the cattle, and introducing solutions like the “hug box” to calm them.

Her focus on reducing anxiety by addressing subtle, human-overlooked stressors made her innovations work effectively for the animals, creating a more humane and productive environment.

This brings us to today’s rapidly advancing tech landscape. We’re seeing incredible leaps forward, particularly with AI and machine learning, which have the potential to transform the workplace. But much like Grandin’s experience,

Technology without thoughtful human oversight often fails.

The Real Challenge: Leadership and People-Focused Strategies

The challenge many organisations face today isn't just the adoption of new technologies; it’s their implementation in a way that complements the human experience.

Flashy tech alone, no matter how advanced, won’t be the solution if it’s not implemented in a way that considers the needs of its users.

Take AI. There’s a growing fear that AI will replace jobs, marginalise human roles, and become the sole driver of workplace efficiency.

However, this ignores the critical factor of people-powered leadership. Without strong leadership and well-considered people strategies, AI and tech innovations will struggle to make a lasting impact. In fact, they could worsen existing challenges, especially for marginalised groups, including those who are neurodivergent.

Like the shadows and slippery floors that frightened the cattle, today's workplace technologies can introduce barriers that exacerbate stress, anxiety, and exclusion.

Poorly designed or thoughtlessly deployed AI systems might not account for neurodiverse individuals' needs, unintentionally creating more problems than they solve. For example, automated hiring systems might filter out candidates with unconventional communication styles or non-linear career paths, even if they are perfect for the role.

Neuroinclusive Tech: Where People and AI Meet

This is why neuroinclusive technology is so critical. Just as Grandin's innovations weren’t about the machines themselves, but about how they were designed with the animals in mind, our tech solutions must be designed with neurodiversity at the centre.

When AI is developed and implemented with a deep understanding of the diverse ways people think, process information, and communicate, it can become a true enabler of success.

Think of the potential impact. Neurodivergent individuals, those who are ADHD, autistic, dyslexic..., and other cognitive variations, have historically faced higher barriers to employment.

But with thoughtfully designed AI, we can lower those barriers, creating more inclusive hiring processes, better communication tools, and environments that play to individuals’ strengths rather than sidelining them.

But let’s not forget:

AI alone won’t take all the jobs

Nor will it magically erase all workplace challenges. It’s how we lead, how we manage, and how we integrate technology that will make the difference.

We need to ensure that we are addressing the equivalent of slippery surfaces in our workplaces, those little, often unnoticed barriers that can trip people up,and work together to clear the path.

A People-Powered Future

Ultimately, the future of work lies in the intersection of technology and human leadership.

As we integrate more AI into our daily lives, we must also build the capacity to manage it thoughtfully.

Tech doesn’t lead itself. The success of AI in creating more inclusive, efficient, and humane workplaces will depend on how well we lead the people who work with it.

Temple Grandin taught us that even the best technology needs a human touch, someone who understands the system, the users, and the environment in which it operates.

AI will not replace us

But it could leave us behind if we fail to adapt, manage, and lead effectively. If we succeed, however, AI could become the world-changer we need, especially for those who have previously been marginalised.

The Power of Neuroinclusive Tech

As we push forward into this new age of AI, let’s remember Grandin’s lessons and ensure that our technological advancements are people-powered and neuroinclusive.

Only then can we avoid the metaphorical slippery surfaces that derail progress and instead build a future where technology empowers all individuals to thrive.

If you're passionate about building neuroinclusive technology that helps more people thrive in the workplace, we’d love to hear from you. We're seeking funding and advisory support to transform the world of work through people-powered technological advancements, working hand in hand with AI and neuroinclusion at its core.