What is Palantir’s Neurodivergent Fellowship for people who “think differently”?

AI and software platform Palantir has launched a Neurodivergence Fellowship to hire people who “think differently,” according to a company post.

The selected applicants will join Palantir as full-time employees to build software and deliver customer outcomes, with an estimated salary range of between $110,000 and $200,000 per year.

Neurodivergence is an unofficial term used to refer to cognitive patterns, behaviours, or thought processes that differ from what is accepted as the “norm.” Some conditions that are generally categorised as neurodivergence include ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and more.

Palantir claimed that neurodivergent people would play a significant role in shaping the future of America and the West. This aligns with an emerging trend in which people attribute special abilities or talents to people with certain cognitive conditions, even as experts call for a more nuanced and sensitive outlook since the needs of neurodivergent people differ greatly.

Palantir further noted that it would not require employees to “sit still,” possibly referencing hyperactivity.

“The current LLM tech landscape positions them to dominate. Pattern recognition. Non-linear thinking. Hyperfocus. The cognitive traits that make the neurodivergent different are precisely what make them exceptional in an AI-driven world,” noted the company’s job listing.

Palantir’s Neurodivergent Fellowship stressed it was looking for “exceptional neurodivergent talent,” but said that the opportunity was not a diversity measure.

“We believe neurodivergent individuals will have a competitive advantage as elite builders of the next technological era, and we’re hiring accordingly for all roles,” said Palantir in its blog post.

The post requires applicants to be eligible to work in the United States, specifically in New York or Washington, D.C.