Great minds think alike—or do they? In this episode, Susan speaks with Hiren Shukla, Global Neurodiversity and Inclusive Value Leader, Ernst & Young LLP, about how neurodiversity—the idea that there is no single “right” way for the brain to function—is a source of compressed innovation, especially as generative AI expands the ways we interact with technology. Hiren discusses the mission of the NCoE and how his work has intersected with his personal journey. He shares examples of recent projects, from designing more inclusive interview experiences to collaborating with neurodivergent developers on the user experience for Azure AI Foundry. Finally, Hiren shares advice for leaders: to learn about and embrace the innovation potential of neurodiversity: what he calls “the beautiful capacity of thinking differently.”
Air Date: April 8, 2025
Chapters:
00:00 – 01:06 Introduction
01:06 – 02:14 Innovation potential in neurodiversity
02:14 – 06:34 Neurodiversity Center of Excellence (NCoE)
06:34 – 08:20 Challenges and opportunities
08:20 – 10:32 Inclusive processes at EY
10:32 – 12:12 Performance-based observation process
12:12 – 17:30 Technology and neurodiversity
17:31 – 22:39 Future goals and building trust
22:39 – 30:57 Community, purpose, metrics and business value
30:57 – 32:15 Advice for leaders
32:15 – 37:42 Conclusion
Show notes:
Guest: Hiren Shukla on LinkedIn: https://msft.it/6057q98LF
Host: Susan Etlinger on LinkedIn: https://msft.it/6050q98L4
Learn more about Neurodiversity-Powered Transformation at EY: https://msft.it/6052q98LA
EY helps enhance the inclusivity of AI development with Azure AI: https://msft.it/6053q98L7
Learn more about Microsoft Azure: https://msft.it/6054q98LC
Executive insights on cloud and AI innovation: https://msft.it/6055q98Lh
Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts: https://msft.it/6056q9806
The Leading the Shift podcast is a place for experts to share their insights and opinions. As students of the future of technology, Microsoft values inputs from a diverse set of voices. That said, the opinions and findings of our guests are their own and they may not necessarily reflect Microsoft’s own research or positions.
Find this episode on:
Spotify: https://msft.it/6057q980B
Apple Podcasts: https://msft.it/6058q9808
Amazon Music: https://msft.it/6059q980D
Leading the Shift Podcast: https://msft.it/6050q980E
About the Leading the Shift podcast:
The AI platform shift brings immense opportunity, but the road to success isn’t always clear. On Leading the Shift, we talk with leaders in organizations of all kinds about how they’re using data, AI, and cloud technologies to deliver meaningful, trustworthy innovation to their teams, customers, and communities. Guests share how the platform shift is affecting everything from data strategy and customer relationships to organizational structure and culture, to their own lives and career journeys. Join us for conversations about navigating the era of AI, tackling new challenges, and advice for getting started.
Follow us on social:
LinkedIn: https://msft.it/6051q9801
Instagram: https://msft.it/6052q980G
X: https://msft.it/6053q980H
#Microsoft #MicrosoftAzure #AzurePodcast
