The neurodivergent as talents for IR4.0

THE Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) brings a fundamental change in the ways humans live and work. The World Economic Forum lists the critical skills for IR4.0: They are complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, people management, coordinating with others, emotional intelligence, judgement and decision making, service orientation, negotiation, and cognitive flexibility.

These skills fall under the social-emotional quotient (EQ) that concerns one’s ability to regulate thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Research shows that these skills play a major role in personal and professional success and well-being. EQ deals with individuals’ personal and social competences that affect the way they manage and navigate social complexities. EQ has been said to be the key that differentiates humans from robots, hence lessening the impact of technological unemployment caused by IR4.0.