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The AI Adoption Gap with
Neurodivergent People

The Unmet Promise: Understanding the AI Adoption Gap

Globally, an estimated 15-20% of the population is neurodivergent, yet many are left behind as AI advances. A crucial 'AI adoption gap' persists, preventing technology from fully empowering this community.

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Key Barriers to AI Adoption

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Lack of Foundational Digital Skills

 A significant portion of individuals with learning disabilities lack the essential digital skills needed to fully engage with new technologies

Cultural

Stigma

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Societal stigmas may prevent neurodivergent individuals from seeking or being offered technological aids they need. 

Challenges in Diagnosis and Recognition

Delays or misdiagnoses occur due to a lack of awareness among clinicians. Reducing opportunities for aid and access.

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Lack of Inclusive Design

Many mainstream AI tools are not built with universal accessibility leading to poor usability and abandonment.

Socioeconomic Factors

Lower income, education levels, and the high cost of specialized assistive tech significantly limit access.

Awareness & Training Deficit

Insufficient knowledge, training, and support for neurodivergent individuals halts AI production.

Bias & Trust Erosion

AI models trained on unrepresentative datasets can be biased or inaccurate, eroding user confidence.

The gap in AI adoption hints at an even larger digital divide that exists between the neurodivergent and neurotypical populations.
The digital divide stems from a lack of access to mainstream technology (like computers, mobile phones, and use of the internet), and discrepancy of digital comprehension skills. 

 

35%

vs

21%

of the UK population with Learning Disabilities

of the UK population without Learning Disabilities

Do Not Hold the Essential Digital Skills for Life

AI's Life Changing Potential

Communication

AI-powered Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) apps and real-time speech-to-text bridge gaps. Natural Language Processing (NLP) personalizes language, for quicker and clearer communication. 

Accessibility

AI-driven screen readers, image-to-text converters, and accessible navigation apps improve access to physical and digital worlds.

Autonomy

AI personal assistants, smart home devices, and reminder apps automate tasks for greater autonomy. 

Education & Employment

Personalized learning using Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) and AI machine learning to identify and correct bias in management processes.

What Good AI Can Do

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Share Accessible Resources 

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Pioneer
AI
Research

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Establish a 
Global
Partnership

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Produce Inclusive and Original Content

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