The NeuroX New Jersey Conference and Ideathon — a groundbreaking effort that aims to advance neurodiversity hiring through public/private partnerships with a focus on artificial intelligence — is coming to the Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center in New Brunswick on Oct. 29.
The event aims to help build a connection between neurodiverse workers (perhaps the most underemployed segment in the workforce) and employers, but it will have even greater depth, according to creator Drew Peloso.
NeuroX will bring together stakeholders from government, industry, academia, investment, entrepreneurship and philanthropy to inspire innovation and advancement in neurodiversity hiring. And it will do so with a discussion of how AI can help broaden the umbrella of fulfilling opportunities for neuro-exceptional career seekers.
The all-day event, which will feature more than a dozen panels and presentations, already has a number of top thought leaders on board, including representatives from global leaders in AI such as Nvidia and Microsoft, top universities (Rutgers’ Center for Adult Autism Services is a partner), neurodiversity workforce development organizations (Beyond Impact, Heldrich Center), investors, entrepreneurs and government agencies (the state’s Economic Development Authority, Office of Innovation and Department of Labor & Workforce Development and Department of Higher Education).
“At NeuroX, come prepared to learn how access to an incredibly talented and untapped labor pool will advance your business and stimulate economic growth in the state,” Peloso said. “We’re bringing together a wide range of disciplines, all along the neurodiversity career chain. You ’ll also hear from leading artificial intelligence researchers and practitioners, and we’ll focus on the intersections.”
The goal, Peloso said, is simple yet powerful:
“The common thread among everyone at NeuroX will be simple: We are, or we love, a neurodivergent person and we want to be active in the future of work for this community,” he said.
The conference is being co-produced by 7Magnolia, a design firm that is neurodivergent-owned and -operated.
“We are excited to bring a neurodivergent perspective to the overall conference design and this much-needed discussion,” co-founder Dan Gauthier said.
The conference will serve as the kickoff event for the NeuroX Network, which was created with the mission to increase employment opportunities for neurodivergent individuals. (For more information on the NeuroX Network, email info@neuroxnj.com.)
The conference will start with a keynote from Tim Sullivan, the CEO of the NJEDA, discussing how the nation’s most neurodivergent state is working to be a leader in neurodiversity hiring.
Other main-stage presentations include:
- Neurodiversity at Work, and AI: Intersections of Hope and Promise Where New Jersey Delivers: Fireside chat on the importance of work for New Jersey’s vast neurodivergent community, how the state is leading in AI and how these two elements come together.
- State aid: How New Jersey’s Departments of Labor & Workforce Development and Higher Education are working together to upskill neurodivergent talent and get businesses the resources they need to ramp up neurodiversity hiring.
- My NeuroX Journey: Reflections on a NeuroX career journey from top executives from major corporations.
The event also will include three breakout session opportunities where attendees can pick a topic, including:
Morning breakout session: Neurodiversity in the Workplace and AI
- AI Primer: Demistifying AI now and in the future
- Hiring, Neurodiversity and AI
- Getting the most from your workforce is good for everyone
Midday breakout session: Investing and Entrepreneurship in NeuroX
- Opportunity and Innovation in the Neurodiversity Economy
- Entrepreneurship for NeuroXers
- Public-private partnerships in the neurodiversity space
Afternoon breakout session: AI and the N.J. NeuroX Career Journey
- K-12: Boosting confidence and capability with AI
- The university experience: AI in the classroom and for career prep
- Thriving after graduation: Job search, housing and transportation
For more information, click here.
