2024 DigiQuest Amsterdam – Neurodiversity, AI & The Future of Work

Workshop: Neurodiversity, AI & The Future of Work

Below is the text about our session.

Whether you are neurodivergent, neurotypical or not sure, come and explore how we can better understand each other and create a more neuro-inclusive future. This session will cover some basics about neurodiversity and briefly explore representation, identity and the impact of AI and technological shifts.

Facilitated by neurodivergent educators Jonathan Evans and Renée Tentori, we use a neuro-inclusive, multimodal approach, inviting all neurotypes to contribute to the conversation on redefining “normal” in our future of work. As an active audience you will also be contributing to an emerging research field that moves away from what Dr Robert Chapman has termed an “Empire of Normality” to that of societal transformation.

Our actual session

During the session itself on the day, we had mostly students in the audience and a few lecturers and entrepreneurs.

It’s always a pleasure to work with Jonathan. This is the third time now we’ve presented together and participants often comment on how we complement each other’s styles. We also explain the deliberately neuroinclusive way we work together.

A couple of the concepts we explained were “multi-modal approach” which is essentially using multiple ways to teach something….this could involve for example using a combination of images, words, text, video.

We also briefly explained stimming and brought along some stim toys as well as crayons, paper etc – and one of the students left us this lovely colourful drawing!

This is an excellent example of the concept we mentioned that sometimes toys etc can still be seen as childish – but even for adults it can be helpful to unleash our creativity while also listening to a lecture. See – it’s not all screens at a tech event.