Creating Future-Ready Workplaces with Hiren Shukla and Low Choy Huat
On 18 June 2025, we hosted Future-Ready Workplace: Neurodivergent Talent as AI Champions, an enlightening fireside chat featuring EY’s global and regional neurodiversity experts. Held at the BMCC office, the session was warmly moderated by Sharath Martin, APAC Senior Policy and Insights Consultant at ACCA and Deputy Chair of our DEI Network.
Our esteemed speakers, Hiren Shukla, EY Global Neurodiversity & Inclusive Value Leader, and Low Choy Huat, EY Partner, People Consulting, led a compelling conversation on how embracing neurodivergent talent can help future-proof organisations in the age of AI.
The discussion highlighted how more individuals are identifying as neurodivergent, and how a wider range of thinking styles is being recognised and supported in the workplace. Businesses that actively adapt to this shift — by creating environments where different cognitive strengths are valued — are better positioned to innovate and lead.
Hiren emphasised that neurodivergent individuals often excel in areas such as big data, AI, cybersecurity, and other technology-driven roles. However, stigma and systemic barriers still restrict access to opportunities. He called on leadership to rethink traditional expectations, understand how neurodivergent minds work, and expand career pathways — including into leadership positions.
Choy Huat echoed the importance of mindset, stressing the need for employers to engage in a continuous cycle of learning, unlearning, and relearning. He also outlined practical accommodations that organisations can make, such as offering accommodating workspaces, flexible hours, or alternate communication formats — small changes that can significantly empower neurodivergent individuals to thrive at work.
The fireside chat reinforced a broader national movement. A newly launched white paper on Malaysia’s neuroinclusion journey — featuring PETRONAS’ efforts to embed cognitive diversity within its organisational framework — offers research, best practices, and recommendations for businesses looking to tap into this talent pool. It calls for collective action to build a more equitable, inclusive, and resilient workforce.
For employers, this is a timely reminder that embracing the full spectrum of human potential is not just the right thing to do — it’s a strategic imperative. Diversity of thought is a powerful advantage, especially as we navigate the complexities and opportunities of the AI era.
