#Press: Autism Advocate Jen Friel Taking Stage at Web Summit Vancouver
A hoi hoi nerderinos … I am doing something big that previously I haven’t been able to do.
I’m actually speaking at a big conference - specifically the Web Summit Vancouver.
See, per-diagnosis conferences were the bane of my existence. As some of you may remember, even when I was sponsored at big events like Coachella, CES, and Comic Con … I would hide out in the media rooms only to then throw a party back at the house wherever I was sponsored instead of being at the actual event.
The lights … the crowds … it was all too much for me.
NOW, that I know what I have (a sensory processing disorder called synesthesia, and Audhd) I can regulate better and honor my limits. With the help of a handful of products, and my sensory human side kick … I am doing something I couldn’t do before. ::deep breath::
I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little nervous. Not about the talk … which is on the intersection of AI and Autism - more on that in a minute … but the fact that these conditions I have create very scary situations for me.
I faint, I’ve had seizures, I get dizzy spells … the trust that I am having in myself to be able to even DO this is astronomical.
How COULD I have learned regulation skills when I had no idea I needed them in the first place?!?!
“Normally,” this is when I’d say, I’d love to meet up with any of you if you’re in the Vancouver area - but in this instance I am keeping my schedule as clear as possible to quite frankly figure out if my theory/ trust will even work.
As always, thanks for your support and for always being there. We’ve been on quite the journey together, and I don’t know where this new part of my life is leading … but I sure do know (as always) we’ll have a laugh, a cry, and hopefully learn something along the way.
There will be a livestream and a lot of media - so I’ll make sure to post the links here and in the socials.
Love ya’ll! (I say ya’ll now.)
Here’s the press release:
Tech entrepreneur Jen Friel, the neurodivergent creator behind the viral digital brand Talk Nerdy To Me®, is set to take the global stage. Friel has been announced as a speaker at Web Summit Vancouver, taking place May 11-14, 2026, where she will share her insights on the intersection of autism and artificial intelligence.
Web Summit Vancouver, widely regarded as “the world’s premier tech conference” by Politico, will draw over 35,000 founders, investors, and innovators to the Vancouver Convention Center. Friel will be featured in the event’s highly anticipated Creative (AI) Summit track, bringing her unique perspective as a late-diagnosed autistic woman and poly-synesthete to discussions about the future of technology.
While Friel’s work has reached millions—including a viral animation about her synesthesia with over 4.3 million views and a recent autism meme that has surpassed 10 million—she remains dedicated to her advocacy work. Splitting her time between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, she continues to passionately advocate for neurodiversity, using her platform to challenge stigma and build community.
“My journey began with late-in-life diagnoses of Autism and Synesthesia—two transformative revelations that reshaped not just how I see the world, but how I want to share it,” Friel explains. “I write to bring that underrepresented voice to the table: the self-proclaimed “weirdos” who’ve always felt a little offbeat, and the sensory sensitives who see, hear, and feel life in vibrant crossover.”
At Web Summit Vancouver, Friel will explore how artificial intelligence can serve as a vital tool for neurodivergent individuals. Her session will highlight how AI can reduce cognitive load, assist with executive functioning, and create more inclusive environments for neurodivergent professionals and creatives. She will also address the ethical implications of AI development, ensuring that the technology of tomorrow is built with neuro-inclusion at its core.
Friel’s advocacy is particularly focused on women with autism, a demographic where symptoms are frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed. Through Talk Nerdy To Me®, she blends humor, data, and relatable storytelling to educate and empower others. Her upcoming presentation promises to be an unfiltered, truth-telling session that challenges conventional perspectives on both human neurobiology and artificial intelligence.
Friel’s presence at the Web Summit highlights the growing role of diverse voices in shaping the future of technology.
For more information about Jen Friel and her advocacy work, visit JenFriel.com and TalkNerdyToMe.com.
For details on Web Summit Vancouver, visit vancouver.websummit.com.
