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Different Minds. Shared Goals. Stronger Tech.

Some of the best problem-solvers in tech don’t think “typically”. And that’s their superpower.

Some of the most effective problem-solvers in tech don’t think “typically” - and that’s their superpower. Neurodiversity isn’t just a conversation about inclusion; it’s about creating workplaces where everyone can contribute their strengths. In Australia, an estimated 15–20% of people are neurodivergent, yet unemployment for neurodivergent adults remains high. For tech teams, embracing neurodiversity is a way to unlock untapped talent and foster stronger collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving.


Neurodiversity in Australia: The Facts

  • According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, around 15–20% of Australians are neurodivergent, including people who are autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, dyspraxic or otherwise neurologically different
  • Unemployment for neurodivergent adults sits at 34%, almost eight times higher than the general population.


Talent isn’t the issue. The hiring lens often is. How workplaces hire, manage and support different thinking styles is key.


Why Different Thinking Matters in Tech

Inclusive, neurodiverse teams benefit from:

  • Unique pattern recognition and attention to detail
  • Creative problem-solving from multiple perspectives
  • Hyperfocus on complex systems and data analysis
  • Collaborative learning that challenges assumptions and improves decision-making


When people feel supported to work in ways that suit them, their strengths shine and teams become stronger as a result.


Leading Programs and Allies in Australia

Several initiatives are paving the way for neurodiverse-inclusive tech workplaces:

  • DXC Technology’s Dandelion Program – helping neurodivergent technologists gain meaningful careers in government and corporate tech teams.
  • Untapped Group / Neurodiversity Hub – connecting universities and employers to support neurodivergent graduates in STEM.
  • Aspect - Aspect’s autism-friendly team are dedicated to partnering with organisations to create environments that genuinely support and include Autistic people.
  • Autism CRC – evidence-based research supporting inclusive employment practices.


These programs demonstrate that neurodiverse employees can thrive when workplaces provide structure, clarity and opportunity.


How Tech Teams Can Become Neuro-Inclusive

Practical steps for tech teams:

  1. Strengths-based hiring: Assess skills through practical tasks and project-based work, not just interviews.
  2. Flexible work environments: Provide quiet spaces, clear communication, and predictable structures.
  3. Accessible and compassionate interviews: Use clear, structured questions, share expectations early, and allow extra processing time to create a fairer experience for every candidate
  4. Training and support: Equip managers to understand different thinking styles and how to leverage them effectively.
  5. Measure and improve: Tools like the iNDex from Believe: Neurodiversity help organisations track inclusion progress.


Everyone wants to be able to do their best work, supported and understood for who they are.

Tech teams that embrace cognitive diversity are more thoughtful, collaborative and resilient - and they reflect the real world they’re building solutions for.


At Tech and Data People, we believe great teams don’t all think alike - they think together.

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By Kara Porter June 11, 2025
Welcome to Lunch with a Leader, where the Tech & Data People team sits down with IT leaders to uncover their career insights, challenges, and industry perspectives. Each conversation brings valuable lessons, trends, and advice to help our community grow and thrive. Grab a seat at the table and take in the insights from some of the best in the business. 
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By Kara Porter May 11, 2025
Welcome to Lunch with a Leader, where the Tech & Data People team sits down with IT leaders to uncover their career insights, challenges, and industry perspectives. Each conversation brings valuable lessons, trends, and advice to help our community grow and thrive. Grab a seat at the table and take in the insights from some of the best in the business. 
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By Kara Porter May 8, 2025
We’ve entered an era where the smartest systems aren’t the loudest. they’re the ones you don’t even notice. Ambient Intelligence (AmI), or “ambient invisible intelligence,” is reshaping how we live and work, not with fanfare, but with subtlety. This is AI that whispers instead of shouts. It learns your habits, senses your environment, and responds without you lifting a finger. It’s the kind of intelligence that anticipates, not interrupts. So… why should tech professionals, recruiters, and business leaders care? What Is Ambient Intelligence (AmI), Really? Ambient intelligence refers to digital systems—AI, sensors, and networks—that are embedded into our environments to support humans quietly and contextually. Think beyond chatbots and flashy dashboards. This is: Smart lighting that adjusts based on mood or weather Healthcare systems that flag early symptoms before patients notice Cybersecurity that auto-defends without alert fatigue Enterprise tools that prioritise tasks based on your unique working patterns. It’s a tech layer that fades into the background. That is, until you realise you couldn’t function without it. A Silent Revolution in the Workplace Here’s the interesting bit: Ambient AI isn’t just for homes and smart cities. It’s quietly infiltrating our workplaces. Talent Platforms that serve candidates content before they search. Meeting Software that understands conversation flow and adjusts transcripts, follow-ups, or even sentiment analysis in real time. Facilities Management tools that adjust airflow, lighting, and noise levels based on occupancy and stress indicators. And all of this happens without user prompts. We’ve moved from “Hey Siri” to “Siri already knows.” Why It Matters for Tech Recruitment Let’s talk talent. As ambient intelligence grows, we’ll see rising demand for: AI/ML engineers with human-centred design experience Data privacy and ethics specialists IoT security experts UX professionals who understand invisible design Integration architects who can make fragmented systems feel cohesive. And here’s the catch: these roles often require cross-functional fluency. Tech meets psychology, meets ethics, meets design. Are we ready for that shift? Ethical Design in the Background There’s power in invisibility. But there’s risk too. When tech becomes ambient, it also becomes less visible to scrutiny. That means: Bias can go unchecked Data privacy can slip through the cracks Users can be nudged without realising it. The question is no longer can we do this? —But should we? Smart businesses will bring in people who can answer that. Invisible, but Intentional The future of AI isn’t a robot in the boardroom. It’s the algorithm silently removing barriers before they appear. Ambient intelligence is already here. You may have just not noticed it. Yet.
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Welcome to Lunch with a Leader, where the Tech & Data People team sits down with IT leaders to uncover their career insights, challenges, and industry perspectives. Each conversation brings valuable lessons, trends, and advice to help our community grow and thrive.  Grab a seat at the table and take in the insights from some of the best in the business.