EY: 85% of neurodivergent employees think generative AI creates a more inclusive workplace

The productivity gains from generative AI are well-known.

In fact, new data from accountancy giant EY found that 88% of respondents were more productive when using Microsoft Copilot, the tech giant’s advanced AI assistant, and three quarters (76%) said the tool helps them thrive professionally.

The survey respondents were 300 people from 17 organizations worldwide, and they all identified as disabled or neurodivergent.

The purpose of the research was to look under the hood and see the subjective experience of people living with disabilities and neurodivergence when it comes to AI – is it making their working lives easier or harder? Is it improving diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) at work, or is it making it worse?

EY’s data found that nine in ten (91%) respondents see Microsoft as valuable assistive technology, and 85% said that Microsoft Copilot, and by extension generative AI tools, supported a more inclusive workplace.

AI as a “game-changer” around workplace inclusion

Of course, EY’s report stated that “no single technology can solve for inclusion in the workplace”.

However, “it seems Copilot does impact the daily experience of employees with disability and neurodivergence and can evolve ways of working”.

In fact, some respondents actually referred to Copilot as a “game-changer” when it comes to their feelings of inclusion and belonging at work.

Microsoft’s Accessibility Inclusion Leader Neil Barnett added: “As a tool that can enhance communication, memory recall, and focus, Copilot empowers employees to fully participate and thrive in their roles.

“This not only creates new opportunities for individual growth but also fosters a more inclusive and productive work environment.”

For instance, tools like Microsoft Copilot helps people to fully participate in meetings since they know the real-time note-taking function is focusing on the details. Benefits were seen around memory and recall (59%), processing fine details (55%) and concentration and focus levels (48%), according to the data.

Talking about the findings exclusively with UNLEASH, EY’s Global Digital Strategy, Innovation and Experience Leader Helen Bentley shares: “For those with moderate hearing loss, the tool was invaluable, helping them to perform their role without the anxiety of missing important information or constantly asking customers to repeat themselves.”

In addition, generative AI can help to summarize emails, messages or complicated documents, as well as help draft new content – all of this helps to empower workers to feel confident about work.

EY’s data identified that generative AI helped removed barriers around getting to a first draft faster (72%), structuring thoughts (61%), identifying mistakes or errors (56%), and improving accuracy of content (53%).

The research further found that, as a result of generative AI, 65% of respondents felt confident about their work, while 64% had more clarity at work, 61% were relieved that AI could help remove distressing obstacles at work and 30% felt more accepted at work.

Ultimately, Copilot helped 80% of respondents to play to their strengths at work.

What is the long-term potential of generative AI for inclusion?

All of these findings really show that generative AI tools are having a positive impact on accessibility and inclusion at work. However, there is more work for organizations to do to reap all the rewards for AI for their employees and their business bottom lines.

EY’s report called on organizations to “avoid treating GenAI as a short-term experiment for the organization, measured on a narrow productivity KPI – but instead make it a long-term commitment to include and invest in your diverse human contributors”.

Bentley tells UNLEASH: “HR leaders…could consider prioritizing roll out [of Copilot] to individuals from disabled and neurodivergent communities.

 However, good practice would be to make the technology available to all employees while ensuring comprehensive, inclusive training that addresses the specific needs of these groups is available.

“This approach maximizes both accessibility and overall value for the workforce.”

The report also calls on organizations to look beyond return on investment (ROI) and think about so-called “return on employee”.

The report concluded that organizations must “consider how generative AI can optimize the potential of everyone.

“We must think about how generative AI can uplift all employees, and supports your human strategy, from recruitment to engagement”.