Dr. Nigel Newbutt on AiCoVE, Empathy, and the Future of Neurodiverse Collaboration
Nov. 7, 2025—Dr. Nigel Newbutt is at the forefront of advancing learning technologies while focusing on the human-computer interaction. One of Dr. Newbutt’s current projects is collaborating with Dr. Nilanjan Sarker, the Principal Investigator on an NSF-funded project. AiCoVE, a computer platform that allows two people to complete collaboratively on tasks with each other while experiencing AI...
STUDY SEEKING PARTICIPANTS: Job Coaches with Experience in Autism Needed
Nov. 7, 2025—What is the study? Georgia Tech’s Collaborative Wellness and Computing (Co-Well Comp) Lab is seeking participants in their study, which intends to examine strengths-based job coaching practices for autistic individuals and explore the challenges and opportunities of using an LLM. This project aims to investigate 1) the traditional strength-based job coaching approach for autistic individuals...
STUDY SEEKING PARTICIPANTS: Autistic Young Adults Needed
Nov. 7, 2025—What is the study? This study aims to understand what autistic young adults consider essential workplace supports. Eligibility Between the ages of 18 and 29 Current or previous work experience Currently living in the United States Autistic (formal diagnosis or self-identification) Participation This survey should take about 10-15 minutes to complete. Participate at this link:...
Join Us: Rockin’ Neurodiverse Employment in Music City USA
Nov. 1, 2025—The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation is excited to invite you to an upcoming event focused on advancing neurodiverse employment opportunities in Middle Tennessee. On Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 8:30 AM, join us for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Talent Solutions Forum’s special presentation: Rockin’ Neurodiverse Employment in Music City, USA. This...
Neurotech Rising and the Autistic Founders Rewriting the Autism Story by Aras Sheikhi
Oct. 28, 2025—There’s a quiet revolution happening, one that hums in code, glows on phone screens, and whispers in startup pitch decks. It’s where artificial intelligence meets autism innovation, where founders with lived experience are shaping the tools that once shaped them. Let’s call it what it is: Neurotech Rising. When AI learns empathy (kind of) For...
From Amazon to Autism Tech: Vijay Ravindran’s Journey to Founding Floreo
Oct. 23, 2025—Vijay Ravindran is an engineer, a leader, and a CEO. At the heart of all those titles is his most significant role: a father. When his son was diagnosed with autism, Vijay responded in a way that came most naturally to him: by building a solution. That solution became Floreo, a clinically designed immersive virtual...
Countdown to the Neurotech Frontiers Summit: Empowering Neurodiverse Innovation
Oct. 6, 2025—In just four days, the Neurotech Frontiers Summit, presented by the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation at Vanderbilt University, will make its way to Nashville from October 10th to October 20th. This year’s theme, “Shaping the future of Assistive and Inclusive Technology,” brings together researchers, entrepreneurs, and neurodivergent leaders shaping inclusivity and creating innovation...
Bridging Worlds: How Large Language Models are Reshaping Autism Support by Aras Sheikhi, founder of Janus Innovation Hub
Oct. 5, 2025—In today’s digital world, it feels like technology is moving faster than our ability to process it. One area I’ve been especially curious about is Large Language Models (LLMs). At first glance, they look like fancy text generators, but as I started digging into the research and real-world applications, I realized they’re quietly beginning to...
FCAI Director Keivan Stassun Guests on Imperfect Leaders Podcast
Sep. 23, 2025—On September 7th, FCAI Director Keivan Stassun guested on the Imperfect Leaders Podcast, hosted by Jeffrey Cohn. From the Imperfect Leaders website: “There is no such thing as a perfect leader. We invite the country’s most admired leaders to talk about their imperfections and leadership journey.” Listen to the episode at this link or wherever...
Register Now for September Salon Series with Nigel Newbutt
Sep. 19, 2025—Event Information Register now for our monthly Salon Series event with Frist Center for Autism and Innovation Fellows and Affiliates. In partnership with the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. Where: Hybrid (Virtually on Zoom or in OMC241) When: Monday 22nd September 12:00pm — 1:00pm Central Register for virtual attendance here. Topic of the talk Reframing Communication Through...