How JLLGPT is smashing accessibility barriers for our team

A year on from the launch of our generative AI platform JLLGPT, one of its intended aims – to break down barriers for employees, is surpassing minimum requirements.

For neurodivergent colleagues and those who speak English as a second language, JLLGPT is establishing itself as a reliable sidekick for getting work done more smoothly.

And given JLLGPT is the first company-owned platform of its kind in the real estate industry, and is driving inclusivity in this way, JLL is proudly and undeniably setting a precedent for the future of work.

One JLL employee is embracing JLLGPT to promote greater attention to detail and better workflow – two characteristics she struggles with, and that have been consistently noticed throughout her career as someone who lives with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

JLLGPT is having significant impact on her work.

“I use it for proof reading, for workflow optimisation and quality assurance,” she says. “Since using it, I feel a lot more supported in my role and am performing to a higher standard.”

She adds that the absence of criticism about her attention to detail and focus in her most recent performance review, felt like a significant milestone in her self-determination and career growth.

Another colleague, with dyslexia, describes having always performed well in his professional roles, but having had to work harder than his peers to meet expectations. He uses JLLGPT for lengthy written components of his job.

“Having a real-time writing aid in JLLGPT has made me a lot more confident in how I communicate with colleagues and clients,” he says.

He also has embraced the text-to-voice functionality, explaining, “It has saved me countless hours, as I can input reports or proposals and have the tool read it back to me. It’s empowering having a highly customisable tool to suit my way of working and thought process”.

Some 40 per cent of Australia’s population is neurodivergent, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. For these people, the workforce can be riddled with hurdles. This begins at a foundational level, with text-heavy job advertisements often full of jargon.

Taking note, JLL’s human resources team is using JLLGPT to simplify job ads and provide technological accessibility, with inclusive language suggestions and accessibility considerations, catering to a more diverse workforce. For new recruits, JLLGPT continues to support their career development through skills assessments, gap analyses, learning and development recommendations and personalised training plans.

Grappling with industry-specific vocabulary can be tricky for the best of us, but when English is not your first language, it can pose a sizeable barrier to doing great work. In Australia, one colleague fluent in Hindi, speaking English as a second language, has found JLLGPT indispensable. It is clarifying terminology, checking grammar and syntax, and explaining complex concepts, all of which are streamlining the employee’s communication requirements.

The employee has described how confident they now feel in being able to actively contribute to discussions and collaborations with colleagues and clients.

JLLGPT also provides cultural insights and guidance on country-specific communication norms, facilitating a sense of belonging and promoting cultural awareness, both of which are central to wellbeing at work.

Empowerment was a key factor in the launch of JLLGPT. The development team, from JLL Technologies, wanted employees of all backgrounds to have the tools to perform in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Consistent user testing and feedback are ensuring JLLGPT continues go beyond the minimum compliance standards for inclusivity and accessibility. One example: it is compatible with assistive technologies. Users can leverage screen readers, voice recognition technologies, and alternative input devices to access and interact with the platform effectively, beyond the standard accessibility features available through Windows and Apple interfaces.

The employee experience at JLL is being revolutionised by our generative AI platform, as we continue to facilitate workplaces where diversity is encouraged, accessibility and ability is embraced, and our team has equal access to opportunities.

Find out about DEI at JLL