An important lesson from Microsoft - how you can obtain a return on investment from DEI initiatives in an AI age

One of the most challenging questions to answer in relation to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives is how effectively to quantify a return on investment (ROI).A lack of consistent, standardized metrics, the frequently intangible nature of the benefits of such programs, and the long-term nature of their impact can make the issue a difficult nut to crack.

But at the Business Disability Forum’s Global Conference in London last week, Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Vice President and Chief Accessibility Officer at Microsoft, shared her insights. Based on 10 years of experience in the field, she pointed to three key considerations here, particularly as we increasingly move into the AI era. These considerations, she believes, consist of patience, up-skilling, and inclusive design:

The number one is to be patient. ROI isn’t going to come right off the bat. Let’s be blunt: Microsoft has had some moments where it’s ...