Businesses scrambling for artificial-intelligence talent are tapping an unusual resource: people with autism.
Ernst & Young LLP, Credit Suisse Group AG, Dell Technologies Inc., MicrosoftCorp., DXC Technology Co. and other companies are hiring autistic applicants for AI jobs through neurodiversity programs they have established. EY, a professional services firm, is also advising a dozen Fortune 500 companies on starting similar programs.
Autistic workers are often hyper-focused, highly analytical thinkers with an exceptional proficiency for technology, said several company officials who have hired people on the spectrum. Without losing interest, many can work long hours on repetitive AI tasks, such as labelling photos and videos for computer-vision systems.
