Deloitte Presents: Neurodiversity: Our untapped superpower in an AI‑driven world
Description
Join us for Neurodiversity: our untapped superpower in an AI‑driven world, a panel discussion bringing together leaders, practitioners and advocates to explore the powerful two‑way relationship between AI and neurodiversity.
As AI increasingly takes on linear, rules‑based work, human value shifts towards non‑linear thinking, pattern recognition, creativity and ethical judgement. This interactive session explores how AI tools such as Copilot act as a leveller for different cognitive styles, reducing friction and unlocking potential. You'll hear perspectives on how cognitively diverse teams improve AI design, ethics, and risk awareness.
With insights from ASB's 500-strong Neurodiversity Network Group, including outcomes from an AI pilot, this session features leaders and advocates across technology, people and community.
This event is centered around the Techweek26 content pillar of Life, focusing on how technology can make everyday life easier while enabling better outcomes for people and organisations across Aotearoa.
Whether you are a technologist, leader or policy maker, this session is designed to challenge assumptions, inspire new thinking, and create meaningful connections.
Speakers
Rachel Harrison
Head of Decision Science & AI at ASB Rachel is the Head of Decision Science & AI at ASB, where she has built and led the bank’s analytics capability since 2017. With over 20 years’ experience across leading organisations, she combines deep expertise in Computer Science, Statistics, and Business to drive commercially focused, ethical AI innovation. Rachel is passionate about building high‑performing teams, embedding analytics into decision‑making, and fostering a strong analytics culture.
Tom Little
Neurodiversity Advocate and Public Speaker Tom Little is a third-year Bachelor of Commerce student, majoring in accounting and commercial law. Diagnosed with ADHD at age five, he is a proud neurodiversity advocate, Young Neurodiversity Champion and involved with the Neurodiversity in Education project. Tom has spoken at a Neurodiversity Hui at Parliament, delivered professional development workshops for organisations such as UCOL, and been featured on TV on the Attitude documentary “Wired This Way: Tom Little”. He integrates AI into his daily life as a way to streamline tasks and efficiently tackle challenges.
Julene Marr
Director, Technology and AI Transformation, Deloitte New Zealand Julene Marr is a Director in Deloitte New Zealand’s Technology and AI Transformation practice, where she helps organisations translate strategy into scalable, real‑world delivery. Working at the intersection of business ambition and engineering execution, Julene specialises in operating model design, platform modernisation and responsible AI adoption. She has led major transformation programmes across government and industry, with a focus on embedding new ways of working that endure beyond implementation. Julene is known for bridging technical complexity and executive decision‑making to drive confident, outcome‑focused change.
Chitvan Jindal
Principal Engineer – Data & GenAI, ASB Bank Chitvan Jindal is a Principal Engineer at ASB Bank, where he leads data engineering innovation and GenAI enablement across the organisation. With deep experience spanning data platforms, governance and large‑scale delivery in highly regulated environments, Chitvan focuses on embedding AI responsibly while managing risk and real‑world impact. He is a strong advocate for neurodiversity in the workplace and is passionate about building environments where different thinking styles are supported and valued, recognising the role cognitive diversity plays in creating better, fairer and more effective AI systems.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
